Italy coach Marcello Lippi has confirmed that key defender Alessandro Nesta will miss Tuesday's World Cup semi-final clash with hosts Germany in Dortmund.

The AC Milan star has been sidelined since suffering a groin injury during Italy's final group game against the Czech Republic.

"Nesta is not available," said Lippi. "He is improving and we tried to get him back but without forcing things."

Lippi has also insisted that his team was not behind FIFA's decision to open an investigation into Germany midfielder Torsten Frings.

Frings is suspended for Tuesday's match after an Italian television station broadcast pictures showing the German star trying to punch Argentina forward Julio Ricardo Cruz following Friday's match between the two sides.

Lippi insisted: "Let this be clear for everyone, no-one from our side has lifted a finger for this to happen. There was disbelief on our part.

"Our Federation has been very clear about this. We didn't know anything. I don't know what happened. None of us said a word.

"If other people want to wind things up for their own reasons that's nothing to do with us."