Deco appeal a non-starter

MIDFIELDER Deco will miss Portugal’s quarter-final with England after FIFA dashed any hopes of appealing against his dismissal against Holland.

Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari asked Portugal’s Football Federation to appeal against Deco’s first caution.

But FIFA communications director Markus Siegler said: “There was a phone call, they were clearly told ‘forget it’.”

Deco, one of four players sent off in the stormy second round tie, will serve a one-match ban.

The Barcelona midfielder was shown two yellow cards by referee Valentin Ivanov — the first for a foul on Johnny Heitinga and the second for time-wasting.

Portugal’s midfield will also be missing Costinha, who was one of a World Cup record-breaking four players dismissed in the match.

But Luis Figo will be able to face England after FIFA decided to take no further action on the yellow card shown to him for headbutting Mark van Bommel.