Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz has been suspended for six months after it was ruled that he disrupted an anti-doping test ahead of the World Cup. The country's Sports Institute said an inquiry found that Queiroz insulted an anti-doping team and that his aggressive manner upset their work. The Portuguese Football Federation had already suspended Queiroz for one month for misconduct at the incident in May. But it said that though he did use foul language, he had not caused disruption.
Random photo of Portuguese footballer managed by Queiroz
Portugal's Sports Institute, which governs the National Anti-Doping Agency, said on Thursday that it had sent the ruling to the PFF. Neither the federation nor Queiroz, 57, have yet to comment on the ruling - though the former Real Madrid coach has previously denied the charge. The institute's report said that after hearing evidence from all those involved a conclusion was reached that Queiroz's intimidating behaviour had unsettled the anti-doping team and that, as a result, one of the inspectors failed to correctly carry out a test at the training camp. None of the players tested positive.
Queiroz has previously admitted he was angry that the unannounced early morning tests had disturbed the players and admitted that he used inappropriate language. The extended suspension could put Queiroz's job at risk, as he is now set to miss the first four of Portugal's Euro 2012 qualifying games. His assistant, Agostinho Oliveira, has been placed in charge for the matches against Cyprus on Friday and Norway four days later. Group H also includes Denmark and Iceland.
Last month, Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson testified on Queiroz's behalf as a character witness at the federation's own inquiry. Queiroz - who was criticized after Portugal produced a disappointing World Cup campaign in South Africa that saw them eliminated in the second round to eventual champions Spain - was previously Ferguson's assistant at Old Trafford.
