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Frings ban shocks Germany

04 Jul 2006 - 09:26:28

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Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff has admitted that FIFA's decision to suspend Torsten Frings from Tuesday's World Cup semi-final against Italy came as a shock to the hosts.

The midfielder will miss the game after being banned by FIFA for his part in the brawl that followed the quarter-final victory over Argentina.

Before learning of Frings' suspension, coach Jurgen Klinsmann had said: "Torsten marked Riquelme out of the game against Argentina. I hope he'll be able to do the same against Francesco Totti against Italy."

But after FIFA's disciplinary committee ruled on Monday that Frings' actions were "tantamount to an assault", Bierhoff said: "The team is very disappointed about the FIFA decision.

"The entire team was surprised because we were all convinced that after the provocations of the Argentine players, he would be cleared."

Klinsmann is expected to choose between Tim Borowski and Sebastian Kehl as Frings' replacement.