BERLIN, July 2 - FIFA is investigating the role of Germany midfielder Torsten Frings plus Argentina defender Leandro Cufre and forward Maxi Rodriguez for their part in the fracas that followed Friday's World Cup quarter-final.

Referee Lubos Michel of Slovakia shows Argentina's Maximiliano Rodriguez a yellow card during their World Cup 2006 quarter-final soccer match against Germany in Berlin June 30, 2006. [Reuters]

Sanctions were also being considered against officials of both teams after the trouble that began immediately following Germany's 4-2 win on penalties at the Olympiastadion.

FIFA officials and the referee were caught up in the chaos and punches and kicks appeared to be thrown in scenes lasting about 90 seconds in front of a crowd of 72,000.

FIFA had said earlier on Sunday that it was taking no action against any Germany player but it is now investigating Frings, who had been considered a certain starter for Tuesday's semi-final with Italy.

"Following new evidence coming to light, the disciplinary committee have opened a case against the German player Torsten Frings who they are considering played an active role in the incident at the end of the match," said FIFA spokesman Markus Siegler.

"The German federation and the player (Frings) have until 10 o'clock on Monday morning to submit a written explanation," said Siegler. "Because of the urgency of the situation a decision will be announced by the committee on Monday afternoon."

Italy's Sky Sport television has repeatedly shown images of the melee, with commentators saying the images showed Frings punching Argentina forward Julio Ricardo Cruz.

But Frings protested his innocence.

"I found myself in a crowd of people where everyone was hitting out wildly," he told German newspaper Kreiszeitung Syke.

"I took two punches myself. I put out my hands to protect myself, that was all."

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