Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz has dismissed reports of a spat with Chelsea midfielder Deco, insisting the team have put the matter firmly behind them.
Deco was vocal in his criticism of Queiroz's tactics following the goalless draw with the Ivory Coast in their World Cup opener, but the coach has played down the matter and claims it is all in the past as Portugal prepare to continue their bid to progress to the knockout stages.
"The most important thing was to ensure that, after Deco's comments, serenity was maintained, that confidence was absolute," said Queiroz. "There is no problem in the atmosphere of the team."
He added: "People know we are here to work with a single objective which is to serve the national team and do the best for this team.
"Sometimes mistakes happen. It is something that is buried and completely in the past.
"I've made mistakes, even on television, after a qualifying match for the World Cup. We all sometimes commit verbal excesses, either for emotional reasons, or for reasons of context.
"It is necessary to trust and believe in people. The player himself expressed what he felt, he told everyone what he thought.
"We have to trust what he said, as I trust him, as he trusts me, as players trust Deco and as they all trust each other.
"The players work every day for a cause, which is to serve well the national team."
Portugal face North Korea in Cape Town on Monday before taking on Brazil in their final Group G encounter on June 25.
Source: PA
