Figo cleared to play England

Luis Figo will be available to face England on Saturday after Fifa ruled out disciplinary action against the Portugal star for his headbutt on Holland's Mark van Bommel.

The Portugal captain was booked for the incident by referee Valentin Ivanov and as the match official took action at the time, Fifa will not intervene.

A Fifa spokesman said: "He was sanctioned immediately by the referee at the time. The referee's report is being analysed by the relevant people but it is very unlikely anything will happen as he has been sanctioned already.

"It is only where there is a clear disciplinary issue which has not been acted upon by the referee that the (disciplinary) committee can look at it."

The match ended 1-0 to Portugal and was a tempestuous affair in which 16 yellow and a World Cup-record four red cards were shown.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter was unhappy with referee Ivanov's performance and said the match official deserved a yellow card himself.

Blatter told Portuguese television: "There could have been a yellow card for the referee. He was not at the same level as the players.

"This was a game of emotion, with high drama but the referee was not consistent and there was a lack of fair play by some players."

While Figo can play, Portugal face an anxious wait to see if they will have Cristiano Ronaldo available to face England in Gelsenkirchen.

He was forced to limp out of last night's game after sustaining a nasty gash, plus bruising on his thigh after a poor tackle by Dutch defender Khalid Boulahrouz.

Despite twice limping to the sideline for treatment and also having a heavy strapping put round the injury, Ronaldo was unable to continue and left the pitch in tears.

"I am used to getting kicked now but I am unhappy about that one," he said. "I thought I would be able to continue but, unfortunately, it was not possible. Now I will have to wait and see how the injury develops.

"I have quite a bit of bruising on my thigh so I am in the hands of the doctors. Hopefully I will be fit because I would really like to play against England."

Ronaldo's availability could be crucial to Portugal, who already know they will be without Deco and Costinha through suspension.  PA