CAIRO, Feb 4 - Manual Jose, the Portuguese coach of Egyptian and African champions Al Ahli, apologised on Sunday for starting to undress in public in protest against a referee's decision.

Jose took off his jacket and started to unbutton his shirt after referee Nasser Abbas booked Al Ahli's Tunisian midfielder Anis Boujelbene during the team's 4-0 win over Haras el-Hodoud on Friday.

The referee expelled Jose after the incident, which sparked a hostile media campaign against the 60-year-old coach.

"After analysing my reaction...I found out that it was inappropriate and I apologise to all fans in general and to Al Ahli's fans in particular," a statement on the club's Web site quoted Jose as saying. "I forgot at that moment that I was in a country whose traditions are a little bit different than my country."