Portugal's Soccer Federation (FPF) decided on Friday to deduct 35,000 euros (some US$50,000) from the wages of Luiz Filipe Scolari as a fine to the national team coach.

 

The fine was imposed after Scolari attempted to hit Serbian player Dragutinovic following the Portugal-Serbia game.

 

President of the FPF Gilberto Madail announced the final after the governing body made a decision at a meeting in Lisbon.

 

The fine money will be destined to a fund in favor of "fair play" in sport.

 

The FPF had shown solidarity with Scolari after the European Union Soccer Associations' (UEFA) Control and Discipline Commission suspended the Brazilian for four games and fined him 12,000 euros (US$17,000).

 

Scolari, backed by the FPF to appeal UEFA's decision and having managed to red1uce the punishment to three games, will therefore be able to coach Portugal's game against Finland on November 21.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 20, 2007)