World Cup: Portugal deny claims that Raul Meireles made a rude gesture to a match official

​Portugal have denied midfielder Raul Meireles made a rude gesture to the referee in his side's stormy 4-0 defeat to Germany, insisting that he was merely gesturing a tactical switch.

Pictures on social media show Meireles, who sports a distinctive Mohawk hairstyle, raising the third finger on both hands to referee Milorad Mazic who had sent off Real Madrid defender Pepe.
                  
But the Portuguese football federation (FPF) defended the Fenerbahce player, claiming there was nothing vulgar about the gesture.
                  
"He was passing on to team-mate Bruno Alves the instructions being relayed by coach Paulo Bento," said a FPF statement.