© EuroFootball.com
Having received another video recording UEFA has launched an investigation. This time the camera caught Swiss striker Alexander Frei spitting at England national team security Steven Gerrard during their respective national team meeting on Thursday.
The recording, shown on the German TV channel ZDF, shows the Swiss accidentally bumping into Gerrard and then, as he walks past him, Frei performs a spitting-like gesture. Gerrard turns around stunned to look at Frei and wipes his neck. However, the Swiss team denied that Frei spat at the opponent.
On Thursday, for spitting at Dane Christian Poulsen, Italian national team playmaker Francesco Totti was disqualified for three matches.
"From the recording, it appears that the Swiss could have spat on the English opponent's neck," UEFA officials said on Saturday. "Before announcing any punitive decision, UEFA wants to gather all possible evidence, including statements from the teams on this issue."
Swiss website Blick.ch quoted Frei denying that he spat at the opponent.
When asked if Frei spat, Swiss team representative Pierre Benoit said: "No, not at all. The English did not complain, I don't think... I saw the footage on TV and nothing happened. UEFA asked us about it, and I don't think it will be further investigated."
The English Football Association refused to comment on the incident. The England national team won the match 3-0.
Switzerland will face defending champions France in their final Group B match on Monday, and in order to have hopes of reaching the quarterfinals they must win.
