Portugal's austerity fears taken for a ride by national team's Euro 2012 arrangements

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo (GETTY IMAGES)

The Portuguese Football Federation yesterday hit back at complaints that the squad's arrangements for Euro 2012 are too lavish for the austerity-hit country.

Critics said the team's base, a spa hotel in Opalenica, is too expensive and took exception to a farewell parade round the town of Obidos in horse-drawn carriages.

"We went by carriage, as in 2004, as the players are always asked for autographs," said a Federation official. "We bid farewell to the public, to children. That's something the national team should do."