Inter Milan Finally Close Long-Running Dispute With Sporting Over Portuguese Midfielder | OneFootball

Inter Milan have officially drawn a line under the long-running Joao Mario dispute with Sporting Lisbon, as confirmed in the club’s 2024–25 financial report.

The issue dated back to 2020, when the Portuguese midfielder, now playing for AEK Athens, left Inter on loan to Sporting before joining Benfica as a free agent the following year.

Sporting had claimed a violation of an “anti-rival” clause and demanded €30 million in compensation.

They alleged that Inter’s termination of his contract indirectly facilitated the move to their Lisbon rivals.

According to the Nerazzurri’s latest report, the matter has now been formally closed.

After both FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled in the club’s favour.

FIFA had already rejected Sporting’s initial complaint in 2023, while CAS dismissed the subsequent appeal earlier this year.

Inter Settle Joao Mario Dispute With Sporting

Benfica’s Portuguese midfielder Joao Mario celebrates after scoring a goal during the Portuguese league football match between FC Arouca and SL Benfica at the Municipal stadium in Arouca, on January 31, 2023. (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images)

No new appeal was lodged within the legal timeframe, meaning the decision is now final and binding.

Inter state that “the case is to be considered fully archived,” officially ending the saga.

However, as noted by Portuguese outlet A Bola, via FCInterNews, CAS acknowledged that some “economic logic” behind the original transaction remained unclear.

This included why Inter chose to terminate the player’s contract rather than sell to Sporting.

Furthermore, how Benfica later accounted for his acquisition despite Joao Mario being a free agent.

Nonetheless, from the club’s perspective, the verdict confirms a definitive resolution to a complex international dispute.

One that had loomed over their financial statements for several seasons.