UEFA hand Scolari four-match ban

LONDON, England -- Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will have to sit in the stands for the remainder of his side's Euro 2008 qualifying campaign after being handed a four-game touchline ban by UEFA.

European's governing body handed down the penalty for his altercation with Serbia player Ivica Dragutinovic after their 1-1 draw in Group A on September 12.

Scolari has also been fined 12,000 Euros ($8,400) while Dragutinovic has landed a two-game ban.

A statement released by UEFA read: "The verdict means that Scolari will be banned from exercising his function as coach for the Euro qualifiers in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in October, and at home against Armenia and Finland in November.

"Before and during the match, he will not be allowed to go in the team dressing-room, the tunnel, or the technical zone, or on the pitch. In addition, he will not be allowed to communicate with his team."

Portugal, who reached the semifinals of the 2006 World Cup, are struggling to qualify for Euro 2008, trailing group leaders Poland and Finland but with a game in hand.

Scolari's punishment was announced as news reports linked Jose Mourinho with the Portuguese national team post in the wake of his shock departure from Chelsea on Thursday.

Scolari, who led Brazil to the 2008 World Cup, has already said he will stand down after Euro 2008. E-mail to a friend