LISBON, August 31 – Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz's position became increasingly untenable on Monday when it was reported he was set to be banned for six months by the Portuguese Anti-doping Authority (ADoP) for insulting anti-doping officials.
The 57-year-old Mozambique-born former Manchester United assistant manager has already been suspended for a month by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) for insulting officials who had turned up to test his players at a pre-World Cup training camp in May.
But the ADoP indicated last week that they intended to judge the case, and according to reports are now set to impose a lengthy suspension.
Queiroz said in a statement that he had not been notified of this decision and regretted the fact that the media had been informed before him.
He added that if the reports were confirmed he would appeal "notably before the sports court of arbitration."
The Portugal coach also asked that the decision which he termed "erronous and abusive" be suspended pending the outcome of his appeal.
Queiroz, who will miss Portugal’s first two Euro 2012 qualifiers on September 3 and 7, could face a further ban or even the sack after accusing FPF vice president Amandio de Carvalho of trying to get him kicked out of his job.
Queiroz took over in July 2008 with a contract which runs until 2012 but was already under pressure before this incident after being heavily criticised for Portugal’s World Cup finals campaign where they went out in the last 16 at the hands of eventual champions Spain.
