The Hindu : Sport / Football : Frings case: FIFA rules out Italian involvement

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Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006

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Frings case: FIFA rules out Italian involvement

BERLIN: FIFA has rejected reports that the late citing of Germany midfielder Torsten Frings for his role in a post-match melee in the quarterfinals had anything to do with lobbying from Italy — the host country's next World Cup opponent.

Germany meets Italy in the semifinals on Tuesday in Dortmund.

Argentina players Maxi Rodriguez and Leandro Cufre were cited over the weekend for their roles in the skirmish on Friday that followed Germany's win in the penalty shootout.

After initially saying no German players would face investigation, new video evidence emerged on Sunday that forced FIFA to investigate Frings' involvement.

FIFA's disciplinary committee received a statement from Frings on Monday afternoon. It was expected to make a ruling within hours, FIFA communications director Markus Siegler said.

``Torsten Frings is innocent. He has pleaded not guilty,'' Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann told reporters on Monday. ``We have to remember the brawl originated from Argentina. We were only reacting. After the game, emotions ran high. The referee reacted, that should be it.

``Frings should definitely be in the starting line-up. I know the FIFA disciplinary committee will debate the issue but at the end of the day I don't think he'll be made a culprit. We told him to relax. They'll find a reasonable solution.''

The mass-circulation Bild newspaper carried a front-page headline Monday that said ``Italians want Frings suspended!''

``Are the Italians afraid of us, or why are they calling for a suspension for Torsten Frings?'' the accompanying article asked. — AP

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