Germany's Frings reportedly involved in fracas

Jul 1, 2006, 19:03 GMT

Berlin - German midfielder Torsten Frings has been named as a possibly culprit in Friday night's post-match scuffle between the hosts and Argentina.

Media reports in Italy, Germany's semi-final opponent, said Saturday that television images 'clearly showed' Frings striking Argentina's Julio Cruz in the face.

Images seen by Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa correspondents showed Frings extending his arm towards Cruz, with the Argentinian recoiling.

FIFA earlier announced it had launched an official investigation into the fracas, which erupted shortly after Germany defeated Argentina in a penalty shoot-out.

Argentina reserve player Leandro Cufre was shown a red card by referee Lubos Michel for his part in the scuffle, which saw players from both sides involved in a shoving match.

'We have opened a legal procedure against Cufre,' FIFA spokesman Markus Siegler told reporters in Berlin, adding that the behaviour of other players involved would also come under scrutiny.

'The disciplinary committee will be looking at the (referee's) report, watching the videos and will then start looking into the matter and investigate whether other things can also be the subject of a legal procedure,' Siegler said.

'Should someone in the German team also have committed an incident, then a certain urgency is necessary since (Germany) will be playing next Tuesday,' Siegler said.

The post-match brawl was strongly condemned by FIFA boss Joseph Blatter, who had earlier told BBC television: 'We will take some steps towards those who are identified as being the 'provocateurs' of this incident.'

FIFA said its disciplinary committee would be reaching a decision well ahead of Tuesday's semi-final between Italy and Germany.