Loew to learn fate on Wednesday

Germany coach Joachim Loew will learn on Wednesday whether he will be able to take his place in the dugout for Thursday's Euro 2008 quarter-final with Portugal after being sent to the stands during Monday's 1-0 win over co-hosts Austria.

UEFA had originally set the hearing for Tuesday – which will also involve Austrian coach Josef Hickersberger who was also sent off – but changed it so that they could receive the referee's report on the incident which also involved the fourth official.

Should Loew's suspension be confirmed he will not be able to have any contact with his players once they arrive at the stadium in Basel.

“If he (Loew) is suspended 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,” said UEFA spokesman William Gaillard.

However, contrary to what Gaillard had said that coaches unlike players were not automatically suspended, another UEFA spokesman Robert Faulkner clarified that in fact they were.

“Unless the Disciplinary Commission decides otherwise, a player or an official who is sent off is automatically suspended for the next match.”

Both coaches were sent to the stands in the 41st minute of the match by referee Manuel Gonzalez after an argument with the fourth official.

Loew and Hickersberger 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.

Germany's victory was enough to see them make the last eight, while Austria went out.