Sporting Clube de Portugal statement regarding Islam Slimani

Bearing in mind that Islam Slimani could not be punished in the case that the complaint presented by SLB be accepted and with regards to the public statements made by the president of SLB, Sporting Clube de Portugal notes the follows:

1 - With the Justice Council (Conselho de Justiça) being the competent body in relation to issues emerging from the application of disciplinary procedures directly related to competitive sport, articles 293 and 295 n.º 2 a) of the League's Disciplinary Code and 248 n.º 7 of the Portuguese Football Federation's (PFF) Disciple Code apply, wherein the effect of suspension in this type of case (disciplinary decision to suspend a player for a serious infringement) are detailed. The Justice Council's regulations also state that appeals are "without prejudice to the terms of the disciplinary regulations" (art. 36).

2 - It is further noted, under the terms of art. 274 n.º 3 of the League's Disciplinary Code and 245 of the PFF's disciplinary Code, that disciplinary decisions allow for appeal that suspends such a sanction - as will be the case. To this end, the respective sanction will not be applied during the time in which the accused has the right to launch an appeal. This means that even if Sporting were to be notified of such a sanction on the eve of the match, the club would not be required to immediately appeal: the sanction is suspended for the time in which the accused has to appeal (being five days).

In summary:
- competency lies with the Justice Council
- appeal suspends the effects of the sanction
- the decision to apply a sanction is not applicable until after the period in which the accused can appeal
- Should the PFF Disciplinary Council, hypothetically, apply a sanction to Islam Slimani this week, this sanction would in no way affect the match against SLB.
 

Sporting forward claims France Football award

Last week France Football launched a competition to name January's African Player of the Month. In the running were Islam Slimani, Hakim Ziyech (FC Twente, Morroco) and Cheick Diabaté (Bordeux, Mali). At final polling, the Sporting striker finished miles ahead, with a stunning 84% of the vote on the back of 8 goals in just 6 matches.

Speaking with France Football, the Algerian proved happy with his current form, but was keen to highlight his teammates: "I work everyday with my teammates and it is them who give me so many opportunities to score. My job is to score", affirmed Slimani, answering a question on his tough approach to the game: "It comes from my time in Algeria. It hasn't been easy, especially at first with the national team and my club. I accept criticism, but it seems like it has been a bit exaggerated. The truth is that only makes me stronger. It is that anger that makes me never give up."

Coach Jorge Jesus also received praise from the in-form target man: "He is a world class coach and I am not exaggerating. To work with him every day is a pleasure. He helps us improve and you can see that on the pitch. Sometimes he insists in the detail and it might seem like it isn't important, but you quickly understand what he is tryng to do. Tactically, Jorge Jesus is a genius."

Alvalade forward up for France Football award

Until 22h tonight (Friday) you can vote on France Football's website for African Player of the Month. Alvalade hitman Islam Slimani is in the running, along with Cheick Diabaté (Bordéus, Mali)and Hakim Ziyech (FC Twente, Morocco). The Sporting forward has netted a total of 16 goals so far this season, with performances that have kept Sporting at the top of Liga NOS.

Slimani has already been in the spotlight, after his showing against Braga on Liga NOS matchday 17. With 13 goals at the time, he was Africa's third best scorer in European football. His current tally of 16 has moved him up to second, bettered only by Pierre Aubameyand.

You can vote here.

Goals from Bruno César and Slimani secure top spot

Sporting claimed an important three points against a traditionally difficult Paços de Ferreira this weekend, in what was a solid reply to recent slip ups in the Liga NOS and the League Cup. Bruno César scored in the first-half, while Slimani grabbed two after the break.

Jorge Jesus' side traveled to Mata Real knowing that only a win was certain to maintain the hold on the Liga NOS top spot and it wasn't long before the evening's hosts were on the defensive, with Bruno César, João Mário and Bryan Ruiz leading the early charges in support of Slimani. The Algerian himself came close from the opening exchanges after a pass from Bruno César, but he came up just short of connecting. The first shot of the evening belonged to Adrien, but the Alvalade captain's 10th minute effort was deflected harmlessly away. Next it was Bryan Ruiz to try his luck after Naldo rose highest to a corner, but the Costa Rican nodded wide from point blank range.

Sporting were looking truly terrifying in attack and on 19 minutes it was João Mário's turn to wreak havoc in the Paços 18-yard box with a cross that found Paulo Oliveira, but the defender was unable to find the target. Bryan Ruiz was of course in his usual tantalising form playing off the back of the towering Slimani and in the 26th minute the CONCACAF runner up for Player of the Year blew past three defenders and cut a shot across goal, but Marafona made the save at a stretch to keep the scores blank.

Ten minutes later another chance for Adrien, after the Alvalade skipper wiggled an inch of room in the area, but Marafona was able to make the stop. It was only a matter of time before wave after wave of Sporting attacks broke the hosts and next to it was Slimani who tested the Paços keeper after a pass from William, but again Marafona pulled off a save. However, it was only delaying the inevitable and from the next attack Slimani was this time provider, intelligently picking up a throw in and delaying a cross for Bruno César, leaving the Brazilian with the enviable task of a close-range tap in. Sporting did rest their and a few minutes later João Mário nearly made it two with a fantastic solo run that ended with a shot curled onto the cross bar and away.

Sporting looked full of confidence coming out after the break, moving the ball around midfield and probing forward almost at will. Bruno César whipped a poisonous cross into the box that had the Paço defence scrambling, but Marafona turned away for a corner. Naldo rose highest to the set piece, but he was unable to keep his shot on target. With Adrien and João Mário impervious in the middle, Paços de Ferreira's attempts were pretty much stomped out while still in the build up, while Bryan Ruiz and Slimani kept the chances ticking over in front of goal. Another goal was always looking likely and it was Slimani who obliged with a thoroughly deserved strike after another tireless performance, linking up with a pass into space from João Mário to calmly slot past the keeper.

Paços de Ferreira finally managed their first effort on goal in the second-half after 71 minutes, but Rui Patrício comfortably intervened after being little more than a spectator for most of the evening. The hosts did get their reward for their spirited attempt, when an unusually long throw in was flicked on to the back post and looped over Rui Patrício by Bruno Moreira from the most unlikely of angles.

The goal did absolutely nothing to shake Jesus' side and Slimani was right back down the other end just seconds later to restore the two-goal cushion with a comfortable conversion from a pass by João Mário across the face of goal.

Algerian with 27.96% of votes cast

Islam Slimani has been named as Liga NOS player of the month in voting by the league's coaches and users of Samsung's 'Partilhamos Futebol' website.

The Algerian forward tallied 27.96% of the vote for December, ahead of Adrien with 13.86%.

Sporting put six past Setúbal, with Bruno César debut double

Sporting dished out an absolute thrashing of Vitória de Setúbal this Wednesday night, with braces from Slimani and Bruno César and strikes from João Mário and Alberto Aquilani securing a 6-0 win. With FC Porto also held to a draw by Rio Ave, the team from Alvalade now extend their lead at the top of Liga NOS to four points.

With Bruno César handed his debut, João Mário down the right and Bryan Ruiz again featuring off Slimani in attack, Jorge Jesus' made it clear early on that Lukas Raeder was going to be given a busy night in the hosts' goal. Slimani has the first chance of the encounter with a header that lacked power and Ruiz followed up with a decent opportunity after a cross by Bruno César knocked on by Adrien, but the Costa Rican's shot was deflected over.

It really looked like just a matter of time before the evening's opening goal and Slimani obliged in the 18th minute, converting on a cross from Bruno César after Jefferson released the Alvalade newcomer down the wing. Sporting set up camp in the Setúbal half and chances naturally followed, next with Paulo Oliveira pulling a stop out of Raeder with a shot following a corner.

Bruno César, who had already done his fair share on his debut by setting up Slimani's opener, began what would go on to become a dream start in a sporting shirt with a goal of his own, after João Mário linked up with Slimani charging forward. Possession ended up with the Brazilian and he obliged with a great strike three minutes before the break.

Vitória introduced Vasco Costa to the action alongside Suk in attack (in place of Paulo Tavares), but the change did little to alter the hosts fortunes against a rampant Sporting. In the 52nd minute Slimani struck again, heading in after some brilliant team play and a pinpoint cross from Bryan Ruiz.

The third goal finally broke the Setúbal's resistance and Sporting turned on the flare. Next on the scoresheet was João Mário, bursting away down the left and into the middle, leaving defenders trailing and finding the net from range. Not to be outdone, Bruno César again struck (61') with another unstoppable leftfoot from the edge of the area.

With the win comfortably secured, Jesus made the most of the dying stages to bring on Gelson, Aquilani and Matheus Pereira (for Bruno César, Adrien and Bryan Ruiz, respectively). However, not even the change in personnel slowed down the Alvalade attack and after Slimani saw his hattrick denied by Lukas Raeder's instinctive save, it was the recently introduced Italian who rounded off the scoring with five minutes left on the clock, beating the keeper with a classy finish after João Mário had danced his way into the area.

Islam Slimani after his side's 2-0 win against FC Porto

Islam Slimani stole the show against FC Porto this Saturday night with two goals to move Sporting back to the top of Liga NOS.

Speaking with radio journalists at the final whistle, the big Algerian was keen to point out the influence of Jorge Jesus: "It was an important win for us, because now we are two points clear at the top of the league. It was a hard match, but we did what we had to do to win. We have shown the quality of this team match after match and we believe in the work we are doing. The coach has done a good job and he has brought a lot to the team."

Goal against Vitória SC in Alvalade most voted

Islam Slimani's first strike against Vitória SC was been named as the Liga NOS Goal of the Month for October. The giant Algerian went on to score a hattrick in the fixture, with Sporting coming away 5-1 winners.

Slimani is in unstoppable form this so far this season, having scored 6 goals in the last 6 matches.