Loew loses appeal

Germany coach Joachim Loew will have to sit in the stands for Germany's Euro 2008 quarter-final with Portugal on Thursday after he lost his appeal against his sending-off during the final group match with Austria.

According to German news agency SID the UEFA Disciplinary Commission confirmed his and Austrian counterpart Josef Hickersberger's automatic one match ban, after both of them were sent to the stands by Spanish referee Manuel Gonzalez in the 41st minute of the match after arguing with the fourth official.

Whilst Hickersberger' ban will be for the Austrians next international as they are out of Euro following the 1-0 defeat by Germany, Loew will not be allowed any contact with his players once they get to the stadium at Basel, Switzerland, on Thursday.

He will not be able to go into the dressingroom before the match, nor at half-time and will not be allowed to communicate with the dugout during the match.

After both coaches were dismissed, they both shook hands with each other before climbing the stairs.

Loew went to sit close to German chancellor Angela Merkel, who offered him a sympathetic hand shake.