Portugal boss Queiroz in spat with reporter – media

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz came to blows with a reporter at Lisbon airport on Saturday as they both headed for the Euro 2012 draw in Warsaw, media reports said.

“After an exchange of insults Queiroz got out of his chair and twice punched (SIC television commentator Jorge) Baptista,” sports daily Record reported, quoting witnesses.

Record added the pair had to be pulled apart.

Former Real Madrid coach and ex-Manchester United assistant boss Queiroz, told TSF on arrival in Warsaw that there had been “a bitter exchange of words” of a “personal” nature but denied punching anyone.

He stated that he and Baptista had indulged in “shoving, nothing more.”

Baptista told Portuguese news agency Lusa he had been “provoked and attacked.”

The Portuguese Football Federation refused to comment.

The spat came a fortnight after Sporting Lisbon sporting director Ricardo Sa Pinto was forced to resign after dressing room fisticuffs with Brazilian star striker Liedson.

Queiroz came in for media criticism during the national side’s World Cup qualifying campaign which saw the Portuguese forced to come through the playoffs against Bosnia.