Euro ban on Portuguese clubs could help British teams

CELTIC and Manchester United could receive a Champions League boost after FIFA confirmed they could impose a ban on Portuguese football which would result in Benfica being excluded from European competition.

Group F is set to get under way on September 13 with Benfica due to travel to Denmark to face FC Copenhagen on the same night the Scottish champions visit Old Trafford.

However, Portuguese minnows Gil Vicente have taken legal action against their football association (FPF) after being relegated last season for gaining eligibility for a player — Angola international Mateus — at a civil court.