Portugal sack coach Queiroz, says federation

Lisbon: Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz was sacked by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) on Thursday in the wake of his six-month ban for insulting anti-doping agents before this year`s World Cup.

"Given recent events, the FPF directors decided unanimously to settle (end) Carlos Queiroz`s contract with immediate effect," FRF president Gilberto Madail told a news conference. "This decision has been communicated to Carlos Queiroz, who will receive the reasons for the decision first hand," he added. The federation had given the coach, who had two years left on his contract, a one-month ban in late August but Portugal`s anti-doping authority later extended that to six months. Queiroz admitted exchanging harsh words with anti-doping doctors during their surprise visit to Portugal`s training camp in May. However, the coach said he was simply expressing his annoyance at having his players` rest disturbed and had vowed to appeal the ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Madail said the FPF will begin searching for a replacement to take charge of the team before next month`s Euro 2012 qualifiers at home to Denmark and away to Iceland. Portugal are second from bottom of Group H with one point from their first two qualifiers having lost 1-0 in Norway on Tuesday following a 4-4 draw at home to Cyprus on Friday. Their poor start occurred with the team`s key player, winger Cristiano Ronaldo, missing because of an ankle injury and with the banned Queiroz having to watch from the stands. Agostinho Oliveira, who took charge as interim coach, said the controversy surrounding Queiroz was not the reason for the team`s poor performance in their opening match.Bureau Report