Soccer: Report submitted on Joao Pinto incident

SEOUL - Fifa said a report had been submitted on a soccer World Cup incident in which Portugal forward Joao Pinto was sent off against South Korea but officials declined to say whether it included allegations of punching a referee.

Argentine referee Angel Sanchez told Portuguese state radio yesterday that Joao Pinto had punched him after he sent him off in Friday's group D match, which South Korea won 1-0 to eliminate Portugal from the tournament.

Keith Cooper, spokesman for world soccer's governing body Fifa, today said a report had been submitted on the match incident.

"This incident has been contained in the report of the referees inspector," he said.

"As those documents go to the disciplinary committee it is in their discretion about what action to take, if any."

Portuguese players had to calm down Joao Pinto and lead him away after the Argentine referee showed him a red card for a tackle from behind in the 27th minute on Park Ji-sung on Friday.

"He punched me on the left, in the ribs," Sanchez told RDP in an interview.

Portugal captain and defender Fernando Couto held Sanchez by the face as the Portuguese players argued with the referee over the decision.

Cooper said that to the best of his knowledge the disciplinary committee had not dealt with the report, but could do so later today.

"All I can say at this point is that I'm taken by surprise that the referee spoke openly about the incident to the press before it had been dealt with by the disciplnary committee," he said.

Portugal also had Beto Severo sent off in the same match.

- REUTERS

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