Figo to escape punishment for headbutt

Portuguese forward Luis Figo (R) and Dutch midfielder Mark Van Bommel head-butt during the World Cup 2006 second round football game, June 25. Portugal captain Figo is highly unlikely to face any disciplinary action over his apparent headbutt in Portugal's tense last 16 round win, FIFA has said.

Portugal captain Luis Figo is highly unlikely to face any disciplinary action over his apparent headbutt on Dutch player Mark van Bommel in Portugal's tense last 16 round win, FIFA has said.

Figo is therefore free to play when Portugal take on England in the quarter-finals on Saturday.

When asked if the disciplinary committee could suspend Figo after viewing videotape of the incident, FIFA spokesman Markus Siegler said: "No, because it was sanctioned immediately by the referee.

"The referee's report came in last night and it will be looked at by the relevant people.

"But the offence was sanctioned immediately by the referee. That is the difference between this and something that was not seen by the referee."

Russian referee Valentin Ivanov showed Figo a yellow card for shoving van Bommel, but in the same melee, the Dutch striker belatedly collapsed to the ground after what appeared to be minimal contact from Figo's head.

The bad-tempered match set a new World Cup record after four red cards were awarded, reducing both teams to nine players by the final whistle.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter criticised the refereeing.

"The referee's actions harmed what could have been an excellent football match," he told Portuguese media Monday.

"We saw a very intense match between two teams which like to attack but they were not helped by the referee.

"I think the refereeing itself deserves a yellow card."

FIFA said they had no further comment to make on Ivanov.