Elias

Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with Clube Atlético Mineiro for the transfer of the player Elias, with Sporting SAD remaining with 30% of the player's economic rights. The transfer fee was 2,500,000.00€ for 70% of the player's economic rights, with an additional 1,000,000.00 based on objectives.

Sporting SAD wishes Elias the best of personal and professional success.

Jorge Jesus confirms the return of Geraldes and Podence and looks ahead to the weekend's action

Opening his Friday afternoon press conference with an analysis of his squad, Jorge Jesus revealed that Francisco Geraldes and Daniel Podence are on their way back to Lisbon after a spell out on loan: "Geraldes and Podence have been authorised to come back. Not because of how we are playing right now, but because they have developed over the last six months and we think they can bring something extra. They are quality players who have the potential to be part of the future of this club. In a squad of 24, a total of 11 players are from our youth system."

Jorge Jesus went on to lend his backing to the current reshaping of the squad and an investment in youth players: "Last year, when we were doing well, nobody accused me of not investing in young players. This season we have already used Rúben Semedo and Gelson Martins a lot and two more players can break through now. Some players have left us this January because they were focused on other objectives and in those cases myself and the board have decided what to do."

Speaking more directly about the weekend's opposition, Jesus proved confident keeping the three points in Alvalade: "Paços de Ferreira are a well balanced team, with objectives different to ours. They are really good from set pieces and we will have to give away to least amount of fouls possible, which will limit their chances on goal. The fans have been great in showing belief in us and I am sure they will be with us tomorrow as well."

João de Deus notes his side's improvement and is looking for a return to winning form

João de Deus' side are on the road this weekend, facing a tough visit to Fafe on Ledman LigaPro matchday 24.

"It will be a really competitive match. Fafe are a tough side and they have a well defined way of playing. They try to win the individual battles and from there they move forward", opened the Sporting CP B coach in an interview this Friday, adding: "We will try and do better than we have been recently. We looked a lot better against Sp. Covilhã and the players felt that too. Now we have to turn performances into wins."

Ivanildo Fernandes looks ahead to the weekend's visit to Fafe

Sporting CP B will travel to Fafe this weekend, for Ledman LigaPro matchday 24. With three points proving hard to come by as of late for João de Deus' side, Ivanildo Fernandes is hoping for a turn of luck, starting this Saturday.

"It has been a while since our last win. We are going through a negative run, but we have been playing better and hopefully we will get the three points against Fafe. We have been working hard as usual and there is no reason for us not to get the win", said the defender in an interview on Friday.

Lukas Spalvis

Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with Os Belenenses Futebol, SAD for the reintegration of the player Lukas Spalvis, with the loan agreement for the player having been terminated.

Jorge Jesus speaks in lengthy interview with Sporting TV

Jorge Jesus sat down with Sporting TV this Wednesday for an extensive interview. Here is what the Alvalade coach had to say in full:

"I feel like all Sporting CP fans should be feeling right now. Based on the season we have been having since what happened in Estádio da Luz, Sporting CP has suffered in terms of quality. In the middle of that we had some issues with refereeing. Our fans saw us play a lot of quality football in our first season and we tallied 86 points, which beat the record. I have won the league a few times without that many points."

"We won the Super Cup and we came into this season confident. On matchday 13 and 14 we started dropping points, which was partly our fault. We didn't play as good as we could have against Braga and in the Champions League, but there were also a few decisions which pushed us to a points tally which does not reflect where we should be."

"The main reason for the bad results was refereeing, I have no doubt about that. Even in our last match in Madeira, we won, but the refereeing team didn't let it happen. We scored a third goal, but it turned out to be a negative result due to a decision which was out of our control. Of course there are also technical reasons which have contributed and some players who were fundamental were transferred out, but we made a good start to the season. From there we had to bring in players, who took time to adapt. With some less than brilliant results a lack of confidence took hold. We had a really strong spine in the team with William, Adrien and João Mário down the middle. This year one of those players is not longer with us and that influences how we play."

"These things influence confidence and as soon as you don't win as many games, the fans start asking themselves why the team isn't playing as well as it was. At times where we are in the league has damaged confidence, but that is part of a player's life, as well as mine. We have to work through it, but of course it is harder when you aren't turning in the wins. That is the kind of mental work that we have to do with the players and that starts with the confidence of the fans. It isn't easy and the margin is minimal when you don't win. The fans have to help us though this."

"While it is still possible for us to win the league we will believe, but of course the table is in favour of the team at the top. We will take each game as it comes and I am convinced we will get through this with a bit of teamwork. We will not throw in the towel. We believe in our capability to get to the top and that is what I wanted to say after the match against Marítimo."

Bruno de Carvalho leads Alvalade delegation hosted in Parliament

Sporting Clube de Portugal was hosted in the Portuguese Parliament this Wednesday by the Socialist Party following the presentation of a document by Alvalade on proposals for combating corruption in sport. The Sporting CP delegation was led by president Bruno de Carvalho and was hosted by three Socialist Party Members of Parliament.

"Sporting CP, following on from our proposals for football, had the pleasure of again meeting with the Socailst Party's parliamentary group, where we had the opportunity to contribute and reaffirm our willingness to get involved in all areas of football, particularly football. It was a good meeting and we talked about football. We are an institution of public service and as part of that mission we look to help in maximising the modernisation and credibility of football", said Bruno de Carvalho after the session.

Speaking for the Socialist Party, João Torres affirmed his party's readiness to listen to Sporting CP's proposals: "Three projects have generally been approved over the last 15 days, one of which was tabled by the Socialist Party. These projects will now be submitted to the respective committees and this meeting is part of that. I don't have a lot to say specifically about Sporting CP's proposal right now. We are still reflecting on it, but this meeting enabled us to clarify some things in relation to sports policies. However, I would say that Sporting CP, the Socialist Party and every citizen defends the need to promote transparency in sport."

João de Deus on the week's draw against Sp. Covilhã

Coach João de Deus spoke with radio journalists after his side's draw against Sp. Covilhã (1-1), on an afternoon which saw Sporting CP dominate from start to finish.

João de Deus' side dominate but were unable to break the deadlock

Sporting CP B were unable to find their winning form this week, this time being held to a draw by Sp. Covilhã. João de Deus' side actually led for most of the afternoon through Gelson Dala's debut strike for the club after a pass from Pedro Delgado.

Agreement to terminate loan of Markovic

Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with Liverpool FC and the player Lazar Markovic for the termination of the player's loan.

Sporting SAD wishes Markovic the best of personal and professional success.