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Wolves target Rui Patricio walks out of Sporting Lisbon
LISBON, June 1, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – A crisis at Portuguese giants Sporting
Lisbon that recently saw masked thugs physically attack players and coaches
took a new twist on Friday after goalkeeper Rui Patricio stormed out of the
club.
Patricio, a target for newly promoted Premier League club Wolverhampton
Wanderers, sent a letter to Sporting informing them he was “terminating my
contract because of a justified motive”.
Portuguese media reports claim the 30-year-old ‘keeper, a European
champion in 2016 and a member of Portugal’s World Cup squad, was motivated by
problems negotiating his departure from Sporting.
But in a press conference Sporting president Bruno de Carvalho hit back,
pointing the finger of blame at Patricio’s powerful agent, Jorge Mendes, whom
he accused of greed and of using “blackmail”.
“Of the 18 million euros that were on the table, Jorge Mendes wanted
seven million,” said De Carvalho, adding that Patricio had been “manipulated”
by Mendes, who is an advisor to Wolverhampton’s Chinese owners.
Patricio’s eventual departure has compounded a deepening crisis at the
Jose Alvalade stadium.
Last month several of the first team players were physically attacked by
disgruntled fans wearing balaclavas after they had invaded the club’s
training complex at Alcochete outside Lisbon.
The supporters broke into the training complex, vandalised the dressing
rooms, threatened backroom staff and assaulted players and coaching staff.
In total 23 fans were arrested and face charges relating to the incident.
BSS/AFP/RY/1914 hrs