InTheNews.co.uk, UK

Scolari gets four-match ban

Thursday, 20 Sep 2007 14:03

Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has been banned for four matches
after being found to have assaulted a Serbian player at the end of
last week’s Euro 2008 qualifier last week.

The match in Lisbon on September 12th ended in a 1-1 draw, which
somewhat dented the Portuguese side’s qualifying hopes.

But the incident between Scolari and Ivica Dragutinovic overshadowed
the result, as the Portugal coach appeared to aim a punch at the
opposing player after the final whistle.

In addition to his four-game ban, which prevents him "from exercising
his function as coach" according to Uefa, Scolari has been handed a
12,000 (£8,400) fine.

For Portugal’s final four Euro 2008 qualifiers, against Azerbaijan and
Kazakhstan in October and at home to Armenia and Finland in November,
he will be prevented from entering the dressing room, the tunnel, the
technical area or going onto the pitch.

He will also be prevented from communicating with his team.

Dragutinovic has received a two-match ban for improper conduct for his
part in the incident. He will be suspended for Serbia’s qualifying
matches against Armenia and Azerbaijan next month.

Both men have three days in which to appeal against the decision