Porto thrown out of Europe

2004 European champions banned from next year's competition

By James Pearson   Last updated: 4th June 2008

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Porto excluded by Uefa

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Former European champions Porto have been thrown out of next season's UEFA Champions League by Uefa.

The 2003/04 Champions League winners, under the guidance of Jose Mourinho, were punished after being found guilty of bribing referees in two games in the same season.

Porto, who secured their third consecutive Portuguese title this season, were docked six points for their part in the match-fixing scandal - although it failed to make an impact on the table.

However, rather than testing themselves against Europe's finest next season, the Portuguese championship find themselves out of the competition altogether.

Porto have stated they will do their utmost to overturn Uefa's decision, although the club would not give any reaction to the punishment.

"It was notified today by the Controls and Disciplinary body of Uefa that (Porto) it will not be admitted to the 2008/09 campaign of the Champions League," the club said in a statement.