25 September 2007, by Marco Pereira

Portuguese Football Federation gives full backing to Scolari

Gilberto Madail to support appeal against 4-match ban

Luiz Felipe Scolari will be maintaining his post as head coach of the Portugal national team as he was given an overwhelming vote of confidence from the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF).

The Brazilian tactician was involved in a brawl that involved Serbian player, Dragutinoivic, after Portugal’s Euro 2008 qualifier which ended in a 1-1 draw on 12 September.

As a result of his actions, Scolari was slapped with a four-match ban and a 12,000 euro fine by Uefa. The punishment handed down by Europe’s football governing body was analysed by the FPF and the coach himself in an emergency meeting on Monday.

The outcome saw the Portuguese footballing authority throw their full support behind the man who has brought unprecedented success to the nation since becoming Portugal coach in 2003. FPF head Gilberto Madail read the following statement at the end of the meeting:

After gathering the facts, the Federation have decided to unanimously support the appeal that Scolari will present to UEFA. We will make our legal services available and also accompany him.

The Federation’s directors met the morning after the game. The national team coach gave his account of what happened, expressed his regret and transmitted that he remained confident in qualifying for Euro 2008. He added that he felt he had the necessary conditions to lead the group towards achieving the objective shared by all of us.

Despite the attempt in certain quarters to change opinion, all polls since the incident show that the Portuguese people are firmly behind Luiz Felipe Scolari and want the coach to continue.

The FPF and Scolari have until October 1 to lodge an appeal. Three days later, on October 4, Uefa will decide whether or not to reduce the suspension after hearing all the arguments.

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