Sporting CP statement

In light of news articles published in the media, Sporting Clube de Portugal SAD hereby repudiates the content published therein and reiterates what was has already been stated by president Bruno de Carvalho:

1 – The contract renewals and players signed in the summer transfer market will make up the squad for next season

2 – Players will be signed if players leave. Any player leaving will always be for the respective buy-out clause

3 – This is the strategy which has been defined by SAD relative to the transfer market and the transfer of players to and from the club

4 – It is the coach who works with the squad and our objectives are clear: win titles domestically and gain success in Europe

5 – No Director of Sport will be signed and, as announced by the president, Octávio Machado will continue in his role

6 – Decisions such as the substitution of the pitch in Estádio José Alvalade or the improvement of the structure supporting the professional football team will always be on the exclusive initiative and are the responsibility of the SAD Administration

7 – The renewed contract with coach Jorge Jesus has exactly the same terms as the contract initially signed, contrary to what has been suggested

8 – As was affirmed by the president yesterday, various departments are undergoing alterations on the initiative of the SAD Administration and the heads of each department.

Alvalade goalkeeping coach invited to take part in premier event

Sporting's goalkeeping coach, Nélson Pereira, will we one of an impressive group of speakers taking part in an international conference on goalkeeping, taking place in Croatia from the 23rd to the 25th of May.

Various generations of shotstoppers will be in Zagreb for the event, including the Croatian national custodian, Stipe Pletikosa.

Alvalade coach dispels doubts surrounding his future

Bruno de Carvalho today announced the renewal of coach Jorge Jesus' contract until the end of the 2018/2019 season.

"I want to thank the SAD and Sporting board of directors for their faith in me and in everyone who works with me. Two months ago the president invited me to renew my contract for another year. It was a show of confidence and it touched me and convinced me that this is what I want. We thought about it together and we did what was best for Sporting", affirmed Jesus after penning the extended deal, adding: "In 10 months we have done a spectacular job. I think that Sporting is much stronger now and I am really happy with having the chance to stay here."

Bruno de Carvalho also spoke at the signing, reflecting on the work done in Jesus' debut season: "I spoke with Jorge and we decided to sign up for another year. Sporting is a club that takes announcing this kind of information very seriously Both Jorge Jesus and I are people guided by passion and that is what sealed it in the end. The club is in great shape, both financially and in terms of sports success. We have took a big step in unifying this club again and to carry on giving the fans things to be happy about."

Bruno de Carvalho sits down the the press to close the last training session of the season

Of course present for Sporting's last training session of the season this week, Bruno de Carvalho took a moment with Sporting TV at the end of the day's work to reflect on the campaign.

"We had a reason full of highs. the players trained today as if it was the first day of the season. We didn't reach our objective, but we are really proud of what we did. Unfortunately we didn't finish in first, but we would do it all again right now, no problem at all," affirmed the Alvalade president, adding: "The fans were magnificent and all I can do is say thank you. The way we were supported in Alvalade after getting back from Braga was mutual recognition between the players and the fans. There is no point speculating now and all we want to do is get back to work."

Bruno de Carvalho finished with a promising look to the future: "Sporting is back, we are solid and focused. We did out job and we didn't let the pressure get to us. We are all really proud of what we achieve this season."

Ricardo Esgaio renews until 2022

Sporting Clube de Portugal, Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with the athlete Ricardo Esgaio for the renewal of his contract until 2022, with a buy-out clause of 45,000,000.00€.

Sporting SAD wishes Ricardo Esgaio the best of professional and personal success.

Sporting midfielder included in Costa Rica squad for coming tournament

As exptected, Bryan Ruiz will feature for in the Copa America Centenario, being held form the 3rd to the 26th of June in the United States.

The Costa Rican national coach Ramírez called up a total of 23 players to his squad and will be looking to repeat the magic of 2104, when Costa Rica reached the World Cup quarter-finals.

Ruiz and Co will open their campaign against Paraguay on the 4th of June, before facing the hosts on the 8th and Colombia on the 12th.

Statement regarding Iuri Medeiros

Sporting Clube de Portugal, Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement for the renewal of Iuri Medeiros' contract until 2022, with a buy-out clause of 60,000,000.00€.

Sporting SAD wishes Iuri Madeiros the best of professional and personal success.

Octávio Machado on the lack of punishment for Benfica

Octávio Machado gave a hard-hitting press conference following Sunday's Liga NOS fixtures, in what were the last of the season.

"Penalties are only against Benfica after the 95th minute, when they are already winning 5-0. It happened in the first match against Estoril when it was 0-0 and it happened again today, against Nacional. In the last match of the season, the decisive match, another penalty was not given when the game was 0-0", said Sporting's director of football.

Jorge Jesus proud of his team as Liga NOS campaign comes to a close with 4-0 win in Braga

Jorge Jesus paid a fitting tribute to his team and the fans in his post-match interview this Saturday, after watching Sporting dismantle Braga on the last game of a season taken right down to the wire.

"We did what we had to do throughout the season. It was a real show of the power and quality of this squad. We had to win and that is exactly what we did. It is never easy here, especially to win 4-0", opened Jesus, adding: "The best doesn't always win. The best was Sporting."

The Alvalade boss of course could not close the season without a word for the fans: "They supported us right up until the last second. It isn't natural for a team to win 86 points and not be champion."

Jorge Jesus includes entire squad for Liga NOS climax

Coach Jorge Jesus has named all available 27 players to form his squad for this Sunday's visit to Braga, on Liga NOS matchday 34:

Squad list in full:

Goalkeepers: Rui Patrício and Azbe Jug

Defenders: Schelotto, Naldo, João Pereira, Jefferson, Ewerton, Ricardo Esgaio, Sebastián Coates, Paulo Oliveira, Ruben Semedo, Tobias Figueiredo and Marvin Zeegelaar

Midfielders: William Carvalho, Alberto Aquilani, Adrien Silva, André Martins, João Mário, Bruno Paulista and Bruno César

Forwards: Carlos Mané, Gelson Martins, Matheus Pereira, Bryan Ruiz, Teo Gutiérrez, Hernán Barcos and Slimani

Sp. Braga-Sporting CP will kick- off at 17h00 on Sunday the 15th of May, in the Braga Municipal Stadium.