Handshake gets nasty in touchline bust-up

Rival football coaches needed to be separated when the traditional end of the match handshake descended into a heated argument in Portugal.

Sportsmanship was thrown out the window on Monday when Benfica's Jorge Jesus and Porto's Julen Lopetegui met on the sidelines following their clubs' 0-0 draw in Primeira Liga's O Classico.

The encounter seemed friendly enough in footage following the stalemate with Jesus smiling as he warmly embraces his rival.

But cracks soon appear as Lopetegui refuses to release the 60-year-old Jesus, continuing to talk in the ear of the two-time championship winning coach.

It hasn't yet been revealed what was said between the two coaches, but it was enough for Jesus to retaliate, grabbing the arm of the Spaniard as Lopetegui tries to escape down the tunnel.

Match and club officials then move in between the men as tempers threaten to explode into a physical confrontation.

"It's not normal, it was the adrenaline," Jesus said of the altercation following the match.

Benfica remain on track in defence of their title, three points clear of great rival Porto with just four games remaining in the season.