André Carrillo

1 - Sporting SAD recognises the right of the athlete André Carrillo to not want to renew his sports employment contract, which is valid until the 30th of June 2016. As it of course the case, Sporting SAD recognizes all of the player’s rights which are protected by law. In that same light, Sporting SAD is aware of its own rights and obligations, which are also enshrined in law. The same rights which offer protection against employees who act in bad faith, who are disloyal and who intentionally damage the club.

2 – Over the past year and a half, Sporting SAD has continuously approached the player André Carrillo and his respective representative with the objective of revising his employment contract.

3 – Various proposals were made by Sporting SAD, which were a reflection of its improving financial situation. Negotiation was always delayed until a time which would be considered more appropriate by the player and his representative.

4 – The successive proposals made by Sporting SAD were always rejected and no form of counter proposal was made, which when occurring successively over time, is evidence of the player acting in bad faith.

5 – This action led Sporting SAD to believe that negotiation would take place, with little more than the timing of his representative’s visits to Portugal needed, when in fact this reasoning was being used against Sporting SAD in order to use up the time of the current contract.

6 – In August this year, the player finally responded with the conditions that he wanted, which were immediately accepted by Sporting SAD and placed in writing to be signed.

7 – With the proposal’s conditions in writing, the player requested the presence of his agent, as he is allegedly not able to read contracts.

8 – Following this request, the player’s agent met with Sporting SAD, strangely without André Carrillo, and the terms of the proposed agreement made by the player and accepted by Sporting SAD were explained.

9 – When, legitimately and again in good faith, Sporting SAD believed that the signing of the agreement would take place, which detailed the exact requests of the player, the agent terminated the meeting because he felt that he needed to talk to the player.

10 – The agent returned with the contract to communicate that the player and his father wanted it to be analysed by lawyers.

11 – This occurred, with the consequential wasting of time, without any response being given to a proposal which had been made by the player himself.

12 – At that time, the player’s agent sent Sporting SAD an email indicating that a proposal would soon be received from a foreign club for the transfer of the player.

13 - Sporting SAD legitimately felt at that time that the player’s agent, and the player himself, were once again wasting time and affirmed that its intention was to renew its contract with the player and not to sell him. Sporting SAD further referred that if a proposal for a certain amount was made for the player, then it would be accepted.

14 – At that time, the player’s agent presented a proposal which honoured the conditions for the transfer of the player to an English club and Sporting SAD accepted it.

15 – Negotiations were aborted due to the fact that the player himself, paradoxically, refused the offer made by his own agent.

16 – These last facts occurred a few hours before the closing of the English transfer window.

17 – After the closure of the transfer window and the player’s participation in his national team, he returned and informed Sporting SAD that he no longer wanted to player for SCP and that he intended to leave for free.

18 - Sporting SAD, registering the disloyal conduct of its player, communicated to its technical team that he should be disciplined and that the issue was being forwarded to its legal department.

19 – At that time, the technical team requested a last attempt from Sporting SAD to reach an agreement. Sporting SAD accepted this and arranged for a meeting with the main coach and the player.

20 – At that meeting, in the presence of the Sporting SAD administration and the coach, the player stated that all he wanted at SCP was conditions that he felt were adequate and that he would renew his contract as soon as his agent was present.

21 – In a new series of negotiations, now with the agent present, the agent stated that the player did not have the courage to personally affirm to Sporting SAD and its coach that he no longer wanted to play for the club, reaffirming the position expressed earlier when he had returned from international duty. André Carrillo placidly listened to his agent’s statement.

22 – At that meeting, in light of the refusal of the player and his agent to make a counter offer, Sporting SAD made a final offer which was substantially improved. With the proposal considered to be highly attractive by the agent, Sporting SAD sent a copy to the agent. The agent then left Portugal to travel to England without giving any notice, allegedly for health reasons.

23 – That final offer was subsequently rejected.

24 – In yet another attempt to find a solution which would satisfy all parties, Sporting SAD presented another option to the player which would permit his transfer in January 2016 for an amount which was determined and agreed with the player, on the condition that Sporting SAD would be compensated if the player was transferred to another Portuguese club.

25 – The player informed that he was in agreement with this proposal and requested the document to read. However, he again went back on his word and refused to sign the document which had been negotiated.

26 – With all options to find a consensual solution apparently exhausted by systematic actions of bad faith by the player and/or his representative, Sporting SAD arranged for a final meeting at 16h30 on the 2nd of October.

27 – After the player’s confirmation to the coach at the end of morning training yesterday that he would be at the meeting with his agent, the meeting was subsequently cancelled by the agent, alleging that there was no chance whatsoever of reaching a solution.

28 – In this context, sporting SAD considers that the attitude of the player and his representative has dragged out the process until a time in which no alternative exists, thereby contributing to the unviability of a transfer to a third club and seriously damaging Sporting, while defrauding Sporting SAD’s legitimate expectations. In this light, the process outlined above should be carefully analysed in order to establish if responsibility can be attributed to the player and his agent.

29 – As such, a disciplinary process is underway and the player has been immediately suspended.

30 – Sporting SAD is now convinced that the sports project which the player wants to be a part of is not our one.

31 – The issue has been forwarded to the legal department in order to establish if responsibility can be attributed to to the player and his agent.

32 – This statement reflects the only official position taken by Sporting SAD at this time relative to this issue.

National squad to face Denmark and Serbia

National coach Fernando Santos has included two Sporting players in his squad for the encounters with Denmark and Serbia, on the 8th and 11th of October respectively.

Rui Patrício and João Mário are the Alvalade duo who will feature, in a squad comprised of 24: Anthony Lopes, Rui Patrício, Ventura; Cédric, Nélson Semedo, Bruno Alves, José Fonte, Luís Neto, Ricardo Carvalho, Eliseu, Fábio Coentrão; Danilo, Miguel Veloso, Tiago, André André, João Moutinho, João Mário; Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, Danny, Nani, Rafa, Éder and Ricardo Quaresma.

Portugal will host Denmark on the 8th of October at 20h45 in The Braga Municipal Stadium, before travelling to Serbia for a 18h00 (local time) kick off on the 11th.

Rui Costa named for I Liga matchday 8

Rui Costa, 39, from the Porto Football Association, has been named to take charge of Sporting’s hosting of V. Guimarães, on I Liga matchday eight.

Miguel Aguilar and João Silva will act as linesmen.

Sporting-V. Guimarães will kick off at 20h30 on Sunday the 4th October, in Estádio José Alvalade.

Jorge Jesus reflects on draw with Besiktas (1-1)

Jorge Jesus sat down with the press after his side’s draw with Besiktas this Thursday, to reflect on what he saw could have easily been a different result.

“I wouldn’t say we were missing a bit of luck, but we were missing a bit of experience. We had a lot of young lads playing and you can see the difference at certain key moments in this kind of competition. We played really well and it was a brilliant first-half. In the second-half we expected Besiktas to react, but we knew we would carry on creating chances. We didn’t kill the game off, but we were playing against a really good team. The lads deserve a pat on the back for how thy played”, opened the Alvalade boss, adding: “Before the game and looking at the group, I would have said that a draw wouldn’t have been bad, but I am a bit unsatisfied with it now because we could have won.”

Jorge Jesus went on to speak about the individual performances of William and Matheus, who made his senior debut: “William showed his usual quality. He played really well and although he is young he has a lot of experience. I wasn’t expecting him to play as well as he did or for him to play the 90 minutes. Matheus did what he could against a strong team in a hard place to play, but he will develop and I am happy with him.”

Sporting held to draw in Turkey

Sporting were held to a 1-1 draw by Besiktas in the Turkey this Thursday, on Europa League Group H matchday two. Although currently in third in the group standings, the result reignites Sporting’s hopes of securing a place in the next round.

The first-half was completely dominated by the team from Alvalade and the first chance of the evening fell to the debutant Matheus Pereira, before Teo Guitérrez pulled a brilliant stop out of the Besiktas keeper, Zengin.

Jorge Jesus’ side did a superb job of exploiting the host’s weaknesses in what was probably one of the best displays so far this season and the inevitable goal came in the 16th minute through Bryan Ruiz, after a Matheus cross from the right that saw the Cost Rican drive in a powerful right footed shot.
The result could well have sapped the pace of the game, but Sporting kept up the pressure and continued to build chances, with Teo in particular having clear opportunities to extend the lead in the 20th, 32nd and 37th minute.

The second-half was much of the same in the opening exchanges and it wasn’t long before chances again fell on the Besiktas goal, but Teo was unable to capitalise on a tantalising sprint by Carlos Mané. Adrien was introduced for Matheus five minutes before the hour mark, which essentially saw Sporting tie down control of possession but lose speed going forward.

Completely against the run of play, Besiktas pulled level in the 61st minute from their first real opportunity and the harsh blow saw Sporting allow their Turkish opposition to get a foothold for a spell, before rallying in the dying stages and again pushing forward to create some dangerous probes forward. Gelson Martins was introduced late on for Aquilani and the youngter could have sealed the win in added time, but the encounter proved destined for a draw at the final whistle.

The result sees Sporting occupy third place with one point, behind Lokomotiv Moscow (six) and Besiktas (four).

Portuguese Cup third round on the 18th of October

The Portuguese Cup third round draw has handed Sporting a visit to Vila Franca de Xira to take on Vilafranquense, in a calendar that will see every I Liga side play away from home.

“Every opponent deserves respect. Sporting can’t think about anything but winning the competition again this season”, said Sporting SAD representative Sancho Freitas at the draw.

Draw in full:
Loures (CNS))-Boavista (I)
União-Rio Ave (I)
Vianense-Benfica (I)
Leixões-Arouca (I)
Gil Vicente-Tondela (I)
Sanjoanense-Académica (I)
Coruchense-V. Setúbal (I)
Varzim-FC Porto (I)
Penafiel-V. Guimarães (I)
Ac. Viseu-Sp. Braga (I)
Naval-P. Ferreira (I)
Mosteirense-Nacional (I)
Gondomar-Estoril (I)
Sertanense-U. Madeira (I)
Lusit. Lourosa-Marítimo (I)
Vilafranquense-SPORTING (I)
Olhanense-Belenenses (I)
Desp. Aves-Moreirense (I)
Operário-Salgueiros 08
Farense-Rio Tinto
Trofense-Pedras Rubras/Santa Clara
Coimbrões-Fafe
Casa Pia-Oriental
Amarante-Bragança
Louletano-Desp. Chaves
Cova da Piedade-Alcanenense
Malveira-Praiense
Angrense-Torre Moncorvo
Atlético dos Arcos-Caldas
Pampilhosa-Portimonense
Famalicão-Feirense
Leiria and Marrazes-Benfica Castelo Branco

President Bruno de Carvalho with the press on Saturday night

The Sporting president spoke with the press on Saturday night, leaving a message for the fans and reflecting on the weekend’s chance to move clear at the top of I Liga:

“Firstly, I want to thank the thousands of Sporting fans who came here. We felt like we were playing at home and we should be proud of that. It is a really important that it continues to happen.

Secondly, it is important for us to reflect on how we think the fans are feeling. We are disappointed with the result, but we have to understand that the season is a marathon and not a 100m sprint. We will fight for the title to the end and we believe in the work we are doing. We need the support of our 12^th man and I am sure you will all be there with us.

There are also a few things I would like to share with you. I haven’t reached three years with the club yet, but this game has taught me things that the fans should know, because football looks like it is constantly changing.

Firstly, I was sent off at the end of the game. In the preparatory meeting, which I always go to, the refereeing team, namely the main referee, said that he didn’t want to stand out too much going on and off the pitch. At the game, I walked up to him and told him that for someone who didn’t want to stand out, he had in fact stood out too much. I was sent off. I learnt then that you can say whatever you want in the preparatory meeting, because it isn’t taken seriously and you can always do the opposite.

Secondly, I learnt that humility is not a characteristic to associate with referees. Some people think you need an ego the size of the world to be a referee, instead of being humble. I learnt that touching somebody’s back can rule out a goal, but pulling several players back in the area isn’t a penalty. It is an important change in the rules of the game and it isn’t worth getting upset about, because it is a rule now. I also learnt that brutal tackles and tackles from behind will not be disciplined. That is another new rule in the game. A player stops the ball with his hand then gets upset because he wasn’t given a free-kick, then runs after the player who supposedly fouled him and kicks him isn’t sent off. I also learnt that it is worth wasting time, because it isn’t the referee’s job to stop that happening, but rather to passively look at everything. A player can also be exactly where he should be for a substitution, knowing that he is coming off, but then go to the 18-yard box and then come back to be substituted. That isn’t punished and it is normal.”

Asked about the absence of Carrillo, Bruno de Carvalho responded: “We would only miss Carrillo if he had taken a refereeing course. What we are talking about here is the new rules of football.”

Relative to the naming of Artur Soares Dias to take charge of the weekend’s encounter, the Alvalade president added: “I don’t think it was strange and I have to say that I have a lot of consideration for Artur Soares Dias. I learnt a lot and I am upset, but I have to start changing how I think about the game, or I will always be upset. The rules changed and nobody told us, but maybe we can use the General Assembly tomorrow to explain the rules to the fans so they don’t criticise the referees.”

Confronted with a possible suspension, Carvalho responded: “If I am suspended, maybe I will go on holiday, because I have learnt a lot of new rules and I need a rest.“

Jorge Jesus on his side's draw with Boavista

Speaking at the final whistle on Saturday, Jorge Jesus considered that his side did enough to claim the three points.

“We lost the chance to clear into first. We knew we could go clear, but we had to beat Boavista in a difficult game. Offensively, we created three chances which could have given us the win, but we were not effective. Defensively we played well, but we wanted to come away from here with a different result and we did what we could to deserve that”, affirmed the Sporting coach.

Speaking in greater depth about the game, Jesus analysed: “From my point of view there were two situations which should be looked at: the penalty against Paulo Vinícius for handball stopping Slimani from scoring and Slimani’s goal that was ruled out. I didn’t like the refereeing. Boavista kept fouling us to stop the game and they didn’t get many yellow cards, even when it would have been justified. They fought hard, but other than dead ball situations they didn’t get near our goal. They did well in defence and we didn’t know what to do. Having the mentality to win the league and winning every now and then are two different things and we are trying to teach the lads that.”

To finish, Jorge Jesus spoke about the return of William Carvalho: “William has been out for two months and he needs to play to get back up to speed. He could have played regardless of the result. He will play more on Thursday and, bit by bit, we will try and use the quality he has, which is really important for the team.”

Sporting held to goalless draw by Boavista

Sporting missed out on the chance to go clear at the top of I Liga this weekend, after being held to a goalless draw in Estádio do Bessa.

The team from Alvalade had Boavista pinned back in defence almost immediately from the off, with some steady build-up down the flanks holding down long spells of possession but creating very few clear chances on goal. In fact, it was actually the hosts who created the first notable opportunity, when Zé Manuel headed wide following a free-kick.

Sporting continued to dominate possession and were having a relatively easy time in arriving to the edge of the Boavista 18-yard box, but the final penetrating pass was proving hard to come by. On 29 minutes, Slimani did put the ball in the back of the net, but referee Artur Soares Dias ruled out the Algerian’s effort for an alleged foul. Another chance quickly followed when Montero linked up with a cross from João Mário, but Nuno Henrique threw himself in front of the effort to keep the scoreboard blank. Slimani again came close just before the break with a header, but Mika did well to stretch out a hand and keep the scores tied at the break.

The second-half was much of the same, with Sporting holding on to the ball and showing patience in the build-up, but coming up against a Boavista defensive wall in the final third. With Teo Gutiérrez on the pitch in place of Montero, Sporting created a superb chance when Slimani floated a pass to the far post which Gelson Martins put back across goal, but the Colombian forward blazed his shot wide of the mark.

William Carvalho made a long awaited return from injury in the 69th minute, coming on in place of João Mário in midfield. A minute later, Carlos Mané found a rare inch of space, but the Portuguese international was unable to find the target. Slimani followed a couple of minutes later after controlling well, but the Boavista keeper did well to rush out and deny the Algerian from a tight angle. Adrien saw a free-kick deflect off the wall and harmlessly away in the 90^th minute, before João Pereira had the last roll of the dice of the evening with shot that ended up going out for a throw in.

Despite the dropped points, Sporting remains at the top of I Liga, level on 14 points with FC Porto.

Gelson Martins reflects on Sporting's draw with Boavista

Gelson Martins spoke briefly with radio journalists after Sporting’s draw with Boavista on Saturday night.

"We started well, but we slipped up when it came to finishing”, opened the Alvalade younger, going on to add that the result does little to influence the title race: “We didn’t want this result, but our objectives are the same. We are still at the top and we want to be champions.”