2006 FIFA World Cup Coverage

German barred for postmatch punch

BERLIN - Germany midfielder Torsten Frings was banned from the World Cup semifinals after a disciplinary committee found him guilty of punching Argentina forward Julio Cruz in a postmatch fracas in the quarterfinals.

FIFA's disciplinary committee announced the ban Monday, the eve of Germany's semifinal match against Italy at Dortmund.

"We are disappointed," Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff said. "Our opinion was that we laid down the reasons for an acquittal."

Frings, 29, was banned for two matches, with one suspended for six months, and fined the equivalent of $4,075 U.S.

ITALY INJURY: Injured defender Alessandro Nesta will miss today's semifinal match.

Nesta tested his injured right thigh in training Monday, but it didn't hold up. He took part in warmup exercises at the Westfalen Stadium, then played the first few minutes of a training game before walking off the field.

RONALDO BACKLASH: Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo, criticized for his role in Wayne Rooney's sending off, has denied reports of a rift with his Manchester United teammate.

"Dreadful things have been said about me and my teammate and friend Rooney," Ronaldo said in a column on his agent's Web site, www.gestifute.com. "There is no problem at all between me and Rooney. I insist: no problem at all."

ANGER TURNS DEADLY: A man apparently angry over raucous revelry after Portugal's win over England in a quarterfinal shot and wounded two Portugal fans and was shot to death by police.

The 58-year-old postal worker was responding to noise outside his apartment in Cap d'Ail, near Nice, after Saturday night's match, police officer Benoit Kandel said.

DRIVER INVESTIGATED: A German motorist who injured 26 people when he plowed through Berlin's World Cup pedestrian "fan mile" is under investigation for attempted murder.

The man was ordered held in a psychiatric hospital. Berlin officials have said they believe the 33-year-old driver intentionally broke through a concrete barrier near the Brandenburg Gate on Sunday in an effort to seek attention.

[Last modified July 4, 2006, 01:07:29]