London, June 13 (IANS) FIFA launched an investigation into security at Ellis Park in Johannesburg after a green laser beam was flashed at players and Argentina coach Diego Maradona during their World Cup match against Nigeria Saturday.

A green beam could be seen being shone at various players, and in the direction of the Argentina coach Maradona, during the match and raises questions over how such an item was able to be smuggled through the security checkpoints, according to a report in The Guardian Sunday.

"We noticed this incident once and immediately asked the stadium security to look into the matter. According to the information that we have at this time, the incident only occurred once. We have not received any comment from any of the teams," Nicolas Maingot, the head of FIFA's media department, was quoted as saying in the report.

"I don't have reports that the security perimeters are not working. Security perimeters are essential for any big competition and are important for the smooth process of security. That is functioning well.

"The laser was stopped immediately, it was used once during the game and we didn't see it any longer. We informed the relevant people in charge at the game and it was very quickly stopped," he said.

It is not the first time a laser pen has been used at a high-profile match, with Cristiano Ronaldo being targeted during a game for Manchester United against Lyon in the Champions League in February 2008.