FIFA gives Portugal 10 days to sort out Gil row

LISBON, Sept 4 (Reuters) FIFA has given Portugal's soccer federation until Sept. 14 to resolve a legal row over club Gil Vicente which has disrupted the start of the country's Premier League season, officials said today.

According to the Portuguese Football Federation's (FPF) Web site, FIFA had decided to hold a meeting of its emergency committee to consider suspending the FPF from all international tournaments if there was no resolution by Sept. 14.

''This situation not only weakens soccer as well as affecting the integrity of competitions,'' the Portuguese federation cited FIFA as saying.

The row started earlier this month with the relegation of Gil Vicente from the Premier League after they used an ineligible player, Mateus. The club challenged the suspension of the Angolan player in a civil court, contravening league rules.

REUTERS AY PM1949