LISBON - UEFA and Portugal's Soccer Federation will launch investigations into an incident when Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari's apparently lashed out at Serbian Ivica Dragutinovic after a Euro 2008 qualifier.

Portugal's soccer coach Luiz Felipe Scolari of Brazil talks to the media during a news conference in Lisbon September 13, 2007. [Reuters]

"UEFA has opened an investigation into events at the end of the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying Group A match between Portugal and Serbia in Lisbon," UEFA said in a statement on Thursday.

Portugal's federation said it would open an immediate inquiry.

Portuguese newspapers carried front page pictures of Scolari on Thursday and radio channels discussed the incident at length. Sports daily "A Bola" carried a front page headline reading "Black night for Scolari."

"I just touched his hair a bit," Scolari said after Wednesday's 1-1 draw. "With or without images, there is no reason to punish me."

It was not clear whether he actually struck Dragutinovic.

The Sevilla defender was quoted on his club's Web site (www.sevillafc.es) as telling Spain's Canal Sur Radio: "He touched me a little in the face and at that moment I saw that he was going to hit me so I stepped back. It isn't good for football. It's a bad example for all sportspeople.

"I forgive him, I have nothing against him, but if you win or lose you have to have the same respect for every player because you are in the world of sport. If you don't know how to lose it is better that you leave football," Dragutinovic said.

"I have never before seen this type of incident in my career. I am a little surprised by his reaction. I know he's a good coach but there aren't words to describe his reaction because I never spoke to him or anything."

The draw was a setback to Portugal in their hopes of reaching the Euro 2008 finals.

Sports secretary Laurentino Dias said the scenes at the end of the match were deplorable and called on the federation to take a stand, according to news agency Lusa.

Portugal conceded the equaliser in the 88th minute, Branislav Ivanovic scrambling the ball home after a free kick by Dejan Stankovic.

Portugal players appealed for offside but German referee Markus Merk ignored the protests.

Portugal, who drew 2-2 with Poland last Saturday after conceding an 87th minute equaliser, stay in third place in qualifying Group A on 17 points. They are one point in front of Serbia, two points behind Finland and four behind leaders Poland, who have both played a game more.