Violence mars German win

Players from Germany and Argentina clashed on the pitch after the host nation beat the South Americans to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup.

Ex-striker Oliver Bierhoff who is now part of the German backroom team appeared to be central to the fracas with the Argentineans.

Fifa officials and referee Lubos Michel were also caught up in the fracas.

Bierhoff said: "Fans have shown they can get on with each other. We should be able to do the same as sportsmen."

Punches and kicks appeared to be thrown in chaotic scenes which went on for approximately 90 seconds in front of a 72,000 crowd.

Bierhoff told German TV that he intervened after an Argentina substitute trod on German defender Per Mertesacker, leaving the player lying on the ground.

The trouble seemed to start when midfielder Tim Borowski gestured towards the Argentina players to "keep quiet" having scored his penalty to make it 4-2 in Germany's favour.

Punches were thrown in a brief melee before it was broken up.

"It's a shame that in a game like a quarter-final such pictures end up getting sent around the world," Bierhoff added.

"At times emotions run away with themselves at a match and it's not what we feel. Germany and ourselves have great respect for each other and this was a thing of the moment," Jose Pekerman said.