Football
Associated Press 10y

FIFA upholds 8-match ban for new Portugal coach Fernando Santos

ZURICH -- Portugal's new coach Fernando Santos has lost his appeal against an eight-match FIFA ban for misconduct at the World Cup.

FIFA says its appeal committee rejected the former Greece coach's challenge.

Santos can appeal again at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

He was hired by the Portuguese Football Federation on Tuesday despite being banned from the touchline for eight competitive matches.

Santos will serve the sanction during European Championship qualifying, though he can pick the team and attend training sessions.

The 59-year-old coach verbally abused match officials during Greece's second-round elimination by Costa Rica.

Santos was banished from the dugout after extra time, which finished 1-1. Greece then lost the penalty shootout.

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