Portuguese coach suspended for abusing officials

HANOI, Mar 24 (Reuters) The Portuguese technical director of Vietnamese soccer team Dong Tam Long An (DTLA) has been suspended for two matches for shouting at match officials during a match last weekend.

Henrique Calisto, who led DTLA to the championship last season, was handed a more lenient penalty than expected because members of the match committee failed to verify if any foul language was used, the Tien Phong newspaper reported today.

Officials had said Calisto, whose outburst came in the 4-3 home win over Cang Saigon on Sunday, could face the maximum penalty permissible under V-league regulations of a six-match suspension and a fine of 250 dollar.

REUTERS AY BST1100