Everton's Abel Xavier was one of three Portuguese players banned from competitive international and European football for a combined total of almost two years last night after UEFA took action against the most disgraceful incident of Euro 2000.

Xavier, striker Nuno Gomes and midfielder Paulo Bento were found guilty of physically and verbally intimidating the match officials after Portugal's semi-final exit to France in Brussels on Wednesday.

The Everton defender, who sparked the incident when he clearly handled Sylvain Wiltord's shot off the line for Zinedine Zidane's match-clinching penalty, received the heaviest suspension of nine months for his part in affairs.

Nuno Gomes, who scored four goals including the winner against England in Eindhoven, and was sent off in the ugly aftermath, was banned for eight months, with Oviedo midfielder Paulo Bento suspended for six months.

All three will be ruled out of the start of Portugal's qualifying campaign for the 2002 World Cup, with Benfica also suffering as Nuno Gomes was banned from European club competition until the quarter-final stage next March.

Xavier, whose performances had attracted interest from European clubs, said: 'I'm deeply shocked and disappointed. I didn't expect a punishment of this nature. 'I reiterate that I did nothing wrong. The footage is available and people can watch it.

'This does great damage to my career, because there were clubs which were interested in me, clubs which are involved in European competitions.'

Despite the shocking scenes, in which almost the whole of Humberto Coelho's squad surrounded Austrian referee Gunter Benko, Slovakian linesman Igor Sramka and Scottish fourth official Hugh Dallas, the Portuguese vehemently refused to apologise.

Last night, the Portuguese FA was also fined £73,000 for the behaviour of its players. In a statement announcing the penalties, UEFA explained: 'The referee and his assistant were pushed and harassed by Portuguese players, suffering bruises and scratches of some consideration.

'The fourth official, who intervened in a bid to protect his colleagues, was also harassed, pushed in the back and pulled by his clothing.

'After the penalty had been converted, almost all the Portuguese players ran towards the assistant, who was pushed and insulted.

'An unidentified Portuguese player spat at him, Nuno Gomes gave him a violent push in the chest and Xavier grabbed him by the arm.

'When the referee showed the red card to Nuno Gomes, Paulo Bento tried to take the red card from him by grabbing his arm. Nuno Gomes then removed his shirt and threw it in his direction.'

Astonishingly, Coelho, who quit after the game, denied that anything untoward had taken place, even though it emerged that the incidents had continued after the players finally left the pitch, with the officials confronted again outside their dressing room.

Eight players were initially under investigation by UEFA, yet, instead of contrition, the Portuguese muttered darkly about a conspiracy in favour of the French.

Barcelona's Luis Figo said: 'The referee will be able to do his job tomorrow, but if I'd done what he did I wouldn't be able to work for two or three months. He has wrecked our work and our dreams, but nothing will happen to him and if the linesman can live with himself now it means he has no conscience.'

And Nuno Gomes said: 'I didn't throw my shirt at the referee. I wanted to give it to him, so every time he looked at it he'd remember what he did to our country.'

Joao Pinto, the Portuguese international fired by Benfica just before the Euro 2000 championship, has signed a four-year contract with Sporting Lisbon. 'There were others but I think I've made the best choice. I've been very impressed,' said Pinto.