The club's decision raised the stakes in a row which prompted global soccer body FIFA to threaten to suspend the World Cup semi-finalists from international tournaments including Euro 2008 qualifying which has just started.

The civil court later on Friday, acting on the presentation by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) of a measure invoking the public interest, rejected Gil Vicente's appeal but the club have five days in which to contest this decision.

The FPF relegated Gil Vicente from the Premier League after they broke rules concerning the registration of amateur Angolan player Mateus.

Gil Vicente then compounded the error by applying to the civil court to clear the player's eligibility, contravening more league and FIFA rules.

The club decided at a general assembly, which ran into the early hours of Friday, to stand by their appeal in the civil court. Club president Antonio Fiuza told supporters he would consider taking Mateus' case to European courts.

FIFA has given the FPF until September 14 to resolve the wrangle or face suspension from all international competition.