Queiroz sacked by Portugal football federation

(GSM) – Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz has been relived of his coaching duties, the Portuguese Football Federation has confirmed.

The former Real Madrid boss was dismissed after being handed a six-month ban for allegedly insulting anti-doping agents before this year’s World Cup.

A federation statement read: “Given the recent events, and after reviewing the current situation concerning the national coach, the directorate of the FPF decided unanimously [to end] the contract… with the national coach, Carlos Queiroz, with immediate effect.

“This decision was communicated to Carlos Queiroz.”

The federation handed the coach a one-month suspension in late August, but the ban was later extended to six months by Portugal’s anti-doping authority.

Queiroz admitted exchanging harsh words with anti-doping doctors during their surprise visit to Portugal’s training camp in May.

The coach argued he was simply venting his frustration at having his players’ rest disturbed and had pledged to appeal the suspension at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

His sacking follows a nightmare start to Portugal’s Euro 2012 qualifying campaign, with the side having managed just a disappointing draw against Cyprus ahead of their 1-0 defeat to Norway on Tuesday.

The 57-year-old, who took the Portugal post in July 2008, also saw his side crash out of the World Cup at the first knock-out stage in South Africa.

The FPF statement added that the search for new coach would begin immediately with a view to having a new man in place in time for the team’s next qualifier at home to Denmark on October 8th.

The statement added: “[The FPF will] start immediately contacts and talks with a view to hiring a technician who performs the functions of national coach in time to prepare and lead the team in the forthcoming qualifying matches for Euro 2012.”