4. OFF THE POST: Belgian squad scuffles with Portuguese press

• by Soccer America , Mar 22, 2007

A pair of Portuguese photographers alleged that they were punched and kicked by two members of the Belgian national team delegation as they tried to take photos of the Belgian players at the Lisbon airport, where the Belgian team arrived for Saturday's European Championship qualifier.

The trouble reportedly started when Portuguese journalists tried to approach Belgium goalkeeper Stijn Stijnen, who had been quoted in a Belgian newspaper as saying, "After two minutes we will normally have to attack [Portugal star Cristiano] Ronaldo so much that he will have to leave the field."

Stijnen, who is being investigated by UEFA for the comments, claims he was misquoted.