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Portuguese coach quits

Humberto Coelho has announced he was quitting as Portuguese coach after his team was beaten 2-1 by France in a dramatic Euro 2000 semifinal.

''From July 31 I will no longer be Portuguese coach. I think now is a good time to let you know,'' he told reporters after yesterday's semifinal, in which Portugal lost by a golden penalty.

''We need time to prepare for the next battle to have a new coach. I wish all the best to my successor,'' Coelho said.

Coelho spoke later of the controversial penalty decision which sank his team.

He said yesterday that he thought the ball had struck Abel Xavier's hand accidentally.

''The shot was so close to him that he could not take his hand out of the way. But it is the referee's decision.

''It was a shame to go out like that, but we played really well and France are a great team.''

Coelho added: ''I am not sure it was a penalty or not. Maybe if it had happened against France we would be happy.

''I don't know if the ball hit his hand or not. It was sad to finish the game this way. It was a very good performance by my team."

Coelho's appointment in December 1997 caused an outcry because a poor track record as a trainer had forced him to take up a business career.

But after he successfully steered Portugal through to the finals, soccer federation chief Gilberto Madail said his controversial choice was vindicated.

Aged 50, Coelho was considered one of Europe's leading liberos and picked up four Portuguese championship medals from his days with Benfica between 1968-75.

Reuters