LISBON (AFP) - The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) on Wednesday gave their full backing to national coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, congratulating the Brazilian for leading them to a fourth consecutive European championship finals.

After meeting here on Wednesday, the FPF said they had "particularly highlighted the work of Luiz Felipe Scolari and once again gave him total support and confidence".

They noted that Scolari had gone through a "complicated period" when he was suspended for three months for lashing out at Serbian Ivica Dragutinovic with his fist after a hot-tempered Euro 2008 qualifer in September.

The statement added: "At present we are all focused on the final phase of Euro 2008 in order to go as far as possible."

Scolari has insisted that he intends to see out his contract as Portugal coach despite being linked with the vacant England manager's job.

"My contract with the Portugal Football Federation runs out in July 2008. I am very happy in Portugal," he said last week. "I am very satisfied that, once again, Portugal have qualified for the Euro 2008."