File photo of German midfielder Torsten Frings -Xinhua/AFP

Germany midfielder Torsten Frings will not play in the World Cup semifinal match against Italy due to suspension, FIFA announced yesterday.

Frings was barred after the disciplinary committee of the FIFA found him guilty of punching Argentina forward Julio Cruz in a fracas following Germany's win in a penalty shootout in the quarter-final.

"The judgment pronounced on Frings was the result of the unequivocal television images showing his assault on Cruz,"the committee said in a statement.

According to the FIFA ruling, Frings will definitely miss the semi-final but can return for the final or the third-place playoff.

However, any recurrence of bad behaviour in the next six months would see him banned for another match.

Frings' absence would be a major setback for Germany as he has been influential in the midfield for the World Cup hosts.