Germany could be hit by a late blow ahead of Tuesday’s World Cup semifinal with Italy after Fifa announced they would take a decision whether to punish influential midfielder Torsten Frings.
The sport’s governing body took the decision on Sunday after viewing television footage in which he apparently hits Argentinian striker Julio Cruz after the quarterfinal which saw the hosts prevail in a penalty shootout.
Fifa have also asked the German federation to give their side of the story by early Monday morning (8am GMT) with a verdict to be handed out later on Monday.
”After viewing the images the Fifa disciplinary commission has decided to open an inquiry into Torsten Frings,” said Fifa spokesperson Andreas Herren.
”Frings and the German Federation have till 0800 GMT on Monday to present their side of the story. A decision will be delivered on Monday afternoon.”
The images were shown on Italian Sky Television on Sunday just hours after Fifa had said they were looking into Argentinian midfielder Maxi Rodriguez hitting Bastian Schweinsteigger.
All this took place after the hosts had eliminated Argentina on penalties, with even team manager Oliver Bierhoff wading to separate the players from each other.
Fifa had already launched an investigation into the shabby scenes, with its president Sepp Blatter taking a very dim view of the fracas.
Frings’ role in the fracas could be a serious blow as the 29-year-old Werder Bremen dynamo has been outstanding for the hosts since the outset of the tournament, scoring a blinder in the opening 4-2 victory over Costa Rica.
Argentina claimed they felt they were provoked by unsporting behaviour during the penalties by the German players, but only one received a sanction when non-playing substitute Leandro Cufre was red carded by Slovakian referee Lubos Michel.
Any action taken over the behaviour of Frings would not be greeted with satisfaction by his Italian opponent Gennaro Gattuso.
He, along with his Italian teammates had a similar experience at Euro 2004 when playmaker Francesco Totti was thrown out in disgrace when Danish TV released images of him spitting at one of the Denmark players.
”I don’t agree with TV evidence,” said Gattuso on Sunday.
”Danish TV robbed us of Totti two years ago. Lets leave it alone and go forward,” added the 28-year-old AC Milan midfielder. – Sapa-AFP