Portugal forward Joao Pinto has been suspended from "all match activity" until FIFA makes a decision on his punishment for punching Argentine referee Angel Sanchez during a stormy World Cup game with South Korea.

FIFA said it had its own video of the incident which formed a key part of yesterday's disciplinary committee meeting involving Sanchez.

Joao Pinto could be banned and sanctions could also be taken against Portugal captain Fernando Couto who manhandled the referee after he showed the red card.

A FIFA statement did not say when it expected the committee to make a decision, but added that the committee had asked for additional information. Portugal have already been eliminated so the provisional suspension has only symbolic effect.

"The evidence already in possession of FIFA, the match commissary and the referee inspector indicate that Joao Pinto, when sent off, punched referee Angel Sanchez in the stomach," the statement said.

"Given the serious nature of the offence of which the player is accused, the Committee has already requested more information."

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