Bierhoff blames Argentina as Germany report to FIFA on scuffles

Jul 1, 2006, 12:15 GMT

Berlin - Germany has been told to report to football's world governing body FIFA on its role in the scuffles which broke out with Argentina players and officials after their quarter-final match, team manager Oliver Bierhoff said Saturday.

'FIFA has called for a response from our side,' Bierhoff said while blaming Argentina for the clashes in Berlin's Olympic Stadium which followed Friday evening's victory on a penalty shoot-out.

'It is a pity that we have this nice football festival with fans from different nations celebrating together and we weren't able to do this yesterday,' he said.

Bierhoff was himself involved in the melee on the pitch but said he was trying to calm tempers.

According to Bierhoff, Argentina players tried to provoke German players verbally when they were taking their penalty kicks.

However he conceded that there may have been a gesture from Germany's Tim Borowski which was 'regarded as a provocation'. The midfielder is believed to have smiled at Argentina players after their first missed penalty.

During the German celebrations on the pitch German defender Per Mertesacker was tripped by reserve player Leandro Cufre and was kicked when he turned round to confront Cufre, Bierhoff said.

Mertesacker, who suffered a stud wound to his thigh, was 'horrified' by what happened, Bierhoff.

'There was a scuffle and I wanted to get in between them,' Bierhoff said. 'I tried to talk to (Roberto) Ayala and (Fabricio) Coloccini whom I know from Italy. I know from my time as a player in Italy that Argentinians are hot-tempered.'

Cufre was shown a red card for the kick.

Defender Arne Friedrich said the scenes after the match were 'very unpleasant'.

He added: 'We have seen a very fair World Cup so far and it does not fit in the picture.'