GERMAN MIDFIELDER Torsten Frings has described FIFA's decision to suspend him for the World Cup semi-final as "a joke".

The Werder Bremen star missed the 2-0 defeat to Italy after being handed a one-game ban following his role in the unseemly fracas against Argentina.

Television pictures appeared to show Frings hitting Julio Cruz in the fight that broke out following Germany's penalty shoot-out victory in the quarter final and as a result FIFA slapped the midfielder with the suspension just 24 hours before the last four game against The Azzurri.

Argentina's Maxi Rodriguez and Leandro Cufre are still being investigated for their part in the fight, but Frings has now spoken of his disbelief at the decision from the governing body.

"I feel betrayed as it was not what I deserved," Frings told German newspaper Bild.

"FIFA destroyed my dream. The suspension remains a joke.

"I was suspended for defending myself after I got hit twice and kicked once.

"Per Mertesacker got kicked, Bastian Schweinsteiger was hit, and Miroslav Klose, who was standing next to me, also got attacked.

"Cruz said I did not hit him.

"The referee said he saw the incident but that nothing serious happened. But then FIFA suspends me. It is all politics.

"All FIFA meant to do with this suspension is show that they do not favour Germany during the World Cup in their own country.

"That's why they suspended me."

Frings also called for a strong punishment to be imposed on Argentine defender Cufre after his distasteful actions.

"They should suspend Cufre for two years," Frings added. "He kicked Per in the groin."