Rangers' Kerimoglu Tugay was sent home from Euro 2000 in disgrace after a public row with Turkey coach Mustafa Denizli.

The midfielder hurled his shirt and shinpads at Denizli after being substituted in the first-half of the Turks' 2-0 win over Belgium in Brussels on Monday night.

And his punishment will be to miss being involved in the historic Quarter-final against Portugal in Amsterdam on Saturday, as his international career hangs in the balance.

'It was something that I should not have done, ' admitted Tugay, who had also verbally abused his former Galatasaray mentor. 'I apologised to my coach but I was very serious at the time because of the atmosphere in the stadium and the importance of the match. I don't remember what I did.'

The £1.5million player's apology cut little ice with Denizli, however, and he threw Tugay out of the Turkish camp and sent him back to Istanbul.

'I do not need him,' said the coach. 'He should have behaved like a professional and he has been suspended for his wrong behaviour.'

Denizli, who will quit as national coach after Euro 2000 to take charge at leading Turkish side Fenerbahce, had previously enjoyed a close relationship with the 29-year-old.

He introduced him to the Galatasaray first team while coach and awarded many of Tugay's 60 international caps, including appearances in all three Group B matches at the Finals.

But the relationship soured when Tugay stormed off the far side of the pitch after being replaced by Tayfur Havuctu eight minutes before half-time against Belgium.

UEFA, meanwhile, are to take no action against Turkey for the post-match violence which accompanied their passage into the last eight. More than 1,000 Turkish and African immigrants were involved in clashes in the Grand Place in Brussels.