Sporting to file complaint against Porto: “Premeditated strategy” | OneFootball

In a lengthy official statement, the Alvalade club criticizes several actions by FC Porto during Monday’s Clássico at Estádio do Dragão, ranging from the appropriation of towels to the concealment of balls.

“Following the regrettable incidents that occurred during yesterday’s match, Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD announces that it will file a disciplinary complaint with the FPF Disciplinary Council against FC Porto.

What should have been one of the best sporting spectacles of the current season was, regrettably but not surprisingly, turned into a journey back to a time that the current FC Porto – certainly by oversight – refuses to abandon and insists on perpetuating: influencing the refereeing, suggestively decorated locker rooms, altered access routes to the locker rooms (facilitating contact between staff and FC Porto fans), manipulated climate control, stands restricted with banners and sound systems, and even ball boys coerced into hiding the match balls and removing the towels of Sporting CP’s goalkeeper.

These events are clear proof that “the past is never dead, it’s not even past,” and as for the much-touted breath of fresh air, not even in the air conditioning. This is, in fact, the result of a premeditated and long-standing strategy, always with the same main actor, with a direct impact on sporting integrity, the credibility of competitions, and the value of football, which is, once again, seriously harmed in yet another dark episode of Portuguese football.

Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD thanks all its supporters for their unwavering support, even in adverse circumstances, and will remain available to cooperate with all entities to ensure that incidents like those at Estádio do Dragão never happen again, urging the Portuguese Professional Football League and the Portuguese Football Federation to assume their responsibilities and implement the necessary measures to achieve this goal.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.