Scolari apologises for “losing my head”

Players issue statement of support backing under-fire coach

Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari yesterday issued a formal apology “to my players, the Portuguese people in general, the Portuguese Football Federation and UEFA” for lashing out at an opposition player at the end of the Portugal-Serbia match on Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, reacting to the torrent of criticism directed at the Brazilian since the incident, the Portugal squad has issued a joint statement of “unconditional support” backing Scolari.

Moments after the final whistle had blown on a 1-1 draw, Scolari and Serbian defender Dragutinovic got involved in a heated verbal exchange that escalated into a physical scuffle, with the Brazilian throwing a punch at the Sevilla player. (Watch incident)

The incident has sparked a wave of bruising criticism directed at the World Cup winner from all sections of the Portuguese media, with some even calling for the coach to be sacked with immediate effect.

Speaking the day after the match, a much calmer Scolari acknowledged his mistake saying: “I apologise. I am not infallible. Everybody makes mistakes and I had a moment in which I lost my head.”

“The player in question insulted my family in Spanish, which I understood perfectly and which hurt. The reaction I had, which was wrong and which should not have happened, could have come from any normal, rational person. Even people who think they never err make mistakes.”

“I want to apologise to my players, the Portuguese people in general, the Portuguese Football Federation and UEFA.”

Scolari added that he fully expects to be punished by UEFA’s disciplinary committee and will accept any sanction.

Players’ backing

Meanwhile, the Portuguese players issued a statement signed by all 23 members of the squad giving their “unconditional support” to the under-fire coach. A translation of part of the text reads as follow:

“Following the incidents in the match between Portugal and Serbia for Euro 2008 qualification, the national squad hereby publicly shows its unconditional support for the national coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari.

The players cannot allow the public repercussions to get out of hand regarding a story that never has just one side, thus forgetting the way the coach has always backed his players, even in the most difficult situations.

Luiz Felipe Scolari is and will always be for us a shining example of leadership, respect and humanism, and will always have our support, especially in this difficult moment. The players of the Portuguese national team are proud to represent the country under the guidance of Luiz Felipe Scolari. We will all fight together for our common objective of earning a place at Euro 2008.”

The text is signed by all 23 members of the Portugal squad, Ricardo, Quim, Bosingwa, Paulo Ferreira, Miguel, Bruno Alves, Jorge Andrade, Fernando Meira, Pepe, Caneira, Petit, Raul Meireles, Maniche, Joao Moutinho, Tiago, Deco, Simao Sabrosa, Cristiano Ronaldo, Quaresma, Nani, Nuno Gomes, Hugo Almeida and Helder Postiga.

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