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Football: Portugal's coach felled by irate player

Thursday 27 March 1997 00:02 GMT
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Glenn Hoddle may think he has problems as he prepares for Saturday's international against Mexico - but at least the England coach has not had to suffer the indignity of his Portuguese counterpart, who was felled yesterday by a player angered by his exclusion from the national squad.

Artur Jorge was knocked to the ground by the Sporting Lisbon striker, Ricardo Sa Pinto. Witnesses said that Sa Pinto turned up at the Sporting training ground, where the national team was preparing for Saturday's World Cup qualifier in Northern Ireland, and demanded to speak to the coach.

Carlos Moia, a director of Benfica, who was present at the ground, said that Sa Pinto then struck Jorge, knocking him down. Jorge, who appeared unhurt in the attack, said later that the incident would have no effect on the preparation of the team. The exclusion of the volatile Sa Pinto was one of the surprises in the 20-man squad named by Jorge for the game.

No reason was given for the decision to drop the striker, who has played 21 times for Portugal, but press reports have spoken of disciplinary problems.

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