Belgrade media blasted Serbia and Montenegro manager Ilija Petkovic yesterday for including his 32-year-old son Dusan in the World Cup squad as an injury replacement.

"Petkovic, send your son home," said the daily Blic after the manager's decision to replace injured striker Mirko Vucinic with the central defender.

Former international Dragan Stojkovic called the decision scandalous.

"Disgrace," screamed the high-circulating daily Kurir in a front-page headline and said Petkovic had "shocked all fans in Serbia and discredited himself."

The Press newspaper said the country was "thunderstruck".

The manager has said he believes the team will benefit from the inclusion of his son, who has scored one goal in 12 international appearances but played no part in Serbia's World Cup qualifying campaign.

"I have never helped Dusan in his career although I could have many times," he told reporters in the team's training camp in Felden, Austria.

"I know this will produce all kinds of comments back home but this is my decision."

Vecernje Novosti quoted Dusan Petkovic as saying that his father did not deserve the criticism.