UEFA and Portugal’s football Federation will launch investigations intoan allegation that Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari hit out at a Serbian defender after Wednesday’s Euro 2008 qualifier.
“UEFA has opened an investigation into events at the end of the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying Group A match between Portugal and Serbia in Lisbon,” UEFA said in a statement on Thursday.
Portugal’s federation said it would also open an immediate inquiry.
Portuguese newspapers carried pictures of Scolari appearing to lash out at Ivica Dragutinovic, with A Bola carrying a front page headline reading “Black night for Scolari.”
“I just touched his hair a bit,” Scolari said after Wednesday’s 1-1 draw. “With or without images, there is no reason to punish me.”
Sports secretary Laurentino Dias said the scenes at the end of the match were deplorable and called on the federation to take a stand.
Portugal conceded a late equaliser when Branislav Ivanovic scramblled the ball home after a free kick by Dejan Stankovic.
Portugal players appealed for offside but German referee Markus Merk ignored the protests.
