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To France via jail for six Portuguese

Monday 26th March 2007

Portugal are going to France for the World Cup. Some of them are going via jail.

They lost 18-12 to Uruguay in Montevideo but had taken with them a seven-point lead from the first leg in Lisbon. They thus beat Uruguay 24-23.

The Portuguese are always happy to celebrate but six of them overdid the celebration, clashed with the police and were arrested and jailed.

The president of the Portuguese Rugby Federation, Didio de Aguiar, said: "The competition is very demanding, they had a free night and unfortunately they went out drinking. That was it."

It was a bit more than that as they clashed with the police and a police officer, it is alleged, was struck.

The Portuguese Six spent the night in jail but were released without trial and would leave for Lisbon on Monday, a day after the rest of the team.