The sport's governing body took the decision on Sunday after viewing television footage where he apparently hit Argentinean striker Julio Cruz after the quarter-final 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 with a verdict to be handed out at an expected 13:00 UTC press conference.

"After viewing the images the FIFA disciplinary Commission has decided to open an enquiry into Torsten Frings," said FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren. "Frings and the German Federation (DFB) have till 0800 GMT on Monday to present their side of the story. A decision will be delivered on Monday afternoon."

Influential midfielder proclaims innocence

Frings, who was also in the German squad that reached the 2002 World Cup finals, protested his innocence. "I did nothing," he told reporters. "I found myself mixed up in a melee where fists were raining down everywhere."

"I myself was hit twice. It was at that point I protected myself, and put my hand in front of me, but I did nothing else."

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 Schweinsteiger.

Team manager Oliver Bierhoff even wading in, although he claimed to be separating the players from each other.

FIFA had already launched an investigation into the incident, with the organization's President Sepp Blatter taking a very dim view of the fracas.

If Frings is blocked from playing, it would be a serious blow to Germany. 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 claim provocation

Argentina claimed that they felt they were provoked by unsporting behavior during the penalties by the German players, but only one of the albiceleste received a sanction when non-playing substitute Leandro Cufre was red carded by Slovakian referee Lubos Michel.

However any action taken over the images 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 Francesco Totti was thrown out 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. Let's leave it alone and go forward," added the 28-year-old AC Milan midfielder.