Pinto is sent off against South Korea (Allsport).
FIFA HAS PINTO VIDEO EVIDENCE
By Jason Hughes, PA International, Yokohama
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FIFA has confirmed it has video evidence of the incident in which Portugal's
Joao Pinto is accused of punching a referee.
Angel Sanchez has claimed the forward hit him in the aftermath of his
sending-off in the defeat to South Korea, which put the Portuguese out of the
World Cup.
The tournament's disciplinary committee will meet with the Argentinian
official on Tuesday, 24 hours earlier than planned, to discuss the matter.
FIFA director of communications Keith Cooper said: "There have been some
video pictures received from a camera, which is not actually a television
camera.
"However it has been working in the stadium for other purposes and has shed a
new light on the incident.
"I shall not say in which way but it is a very interesting development, so
for that reason the disciplinary committee will speak with Mr Sanchez today."
FIFA has yet to confirm whether the punching accusations, made by Sanchez to
the Portuguese media, are part of the official reports already submitted to the
committee.
Pinto was dismissed for dangerous play following a high tackle on Park Ji-Sung
in the 27th minute.
After the red card was shown, the Portuguese forward needed to be restrained
by his team-mates to prevent the situation escalating.
If the pictures do show that he punched the referee, then he is likely to face
a lengthy ban from the game.
Copper said: "No doubt the disciplinary committee will come to a conclusion
today, and they may or may not announce that conclusion today.
"Of course Portugal are no longer in the tournament, so it no longer has a
direct impact on this World Cup.
"If it is considered to be of a serious nature then it may take longer to
decide what measures are taken."
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