WORLD CUP SOCCER ’94 / THE FIRST ROUND : U.S. Players Left in Dark : Rule: They say they weren’t told about changes in yellow carding. Harkes claims he wouldn’t have played Sunday had he known.

The coaches and staff of the U.S. World Cup team have apparently never understood new FIFA guidelines regarding yellow cards and failed to tell the U.S. players that getting two in the first round would lead to a one-game suspension.

The problem arose after Sunday’s game against Romania, when midfielder John Harkes received his second yellow card--a warning about rough or illegal play. Soccer’s international governing body, FIFA, had announced six months ago that single yellow cards would be erased after the first round but that multiple yellow cards would be carried over.

Harkes received his second yellow card in the first half Sunday for encroachment. After the game, he and team officials appeared stunned by the news that Harkes would be suspended if the United States plays another game. Germany’s 3-2 victory over South Korea on Monday all but assured the United States of playing Brazil or Sweden next Monday at Stanford Stadium. The team has not clinched a spot in the second round.

Bill Nuttall, general manager of the U.S. team, took responsibility for the yellow card mix-up Monday, responding to a question about who was to have told the players of rules changes.

“The burden ends right here,” Nuttall said. “If the players were misinformed, then it’s myself and the coaching staff that bear the burden. That’s where the burden lies.”

Harkes said Monday that if he had known a second yellow card would have meant a game suspension, and given the fact that the U.S. team believed it would have no trouble gaining a draw against Romania, he would have asked Coach Bora Milutinovic to keep him out of the game.

A U.S. appeal on Harkes’ yellow card was rejected by FIFA on Monday.

U.S. officials Sunday and Monday made reference to “confusion” about the rule, but the only confusion seemed to be among the U.S. team and staff. FIFA announced the rule change at the draw last December and sent letters on Dec. 23--in English--to all 24 participating federations.

Additionally, FIFA clarified the ruling last week when questions arose.

Somehow, the news never reached the U.S. team. Obviously upset but guarded, no U.S. players Monday were willing to say which team official gave them the wrong information.

“Since I came to this team, we were all told the yellow cards canceled after the first round,” said Alexi Lalas, who was carded in the first round. “It’s our responsibility as players to know the rules of the tournament we’re playing in. The fact that John Harkes went out to the field yesterday without the correct information is thoroughly embarrassing to all of us. I feel so bad for John because he should have been armed with that information, and he wasn’t.

“We have been trying to prove to the rest of the world that we’ve gained experience and we’re so much better at playing soccer. And then we do something . . . “

After Sunday’s game, U.S. officials at first said they would not appeal the yellow card, saying there was no traditional avenue to appeal the ruling. They later filed an appeal sometime after 9 p.m., about five hours after the game. FIFA rules state that protests must be lodged within one hour of the game.

Milutinovic and other team officials told reporters that Harkes would be available to play. The team met after the World Cup roster was finalized at the beginning of the month and several topics were discussed, among them rule changes.

But, according to the players, they were never given a straight answer regarding yellow cards carrying over to the second round.

Should the team have been better informed?

“Of course,” Tab Ramos said. “Team officials, without saying any names, told us a few days ago that yellow cards were going to get erased. I remember at halftime, John was worried about his yellow card and I looked over to him and said, ‘What are you worried about? There’s no problems. You’ll be able to play the next game, anyway.’ We didn’t know the rule and I don’t think it’s our fault and I don’t think it’s John’s fault.”

Said Harkes: “It should have been explained to the players. Nothing was ever made clear to the players.”