PORTUGAL
Ex-Sporting Lisbon president detained in relation to training ground attack
According to Portuguese media, police have detained Bruno de Carvalho and head of the Juventude Leo ultras group as part of the investigation into the shocking attack at the club's training ground in May.
The ex-president of Sporting Lisbon, Bruno de Carvalho, has been detained as part of an investigation into an attack on players and coaching staff last May by a group of radical supporters, according to Portuguese media.
So far 38 people have been detained since the invasion at Sporting’s Alcochete training ground by up 50 people, an incident that caused huge shock amongst the players and staff at the club. According to Portuguese media reports, Nuno Mendes, the head of the Juventude Leo ultras group, has also been detained this Sunday.
After the May attack, nine players rescinded their contracts with the club, although seven of those players did eventually return. Two players, Gelson Martins, now at Atlético Madrid, and goalkeeper Rui Patricio, who signed with English club Wolverhampton, did not return to the club after the incident.
Reportedly, two of the radical supporters’ main targets were the Argentinians Marcos Acuña and Rodrigo Battaglia, who told police in statements that they received death threats. The two players are still playing for Sporting.
Following the fallout as a result of the incident, Sporting club members voted in favour of sacking Bruno De Carvalhao at an assembly meeting in late June. Current president Frederico Varandas was chosen to take over in elections held in September.
Back in May, then head coach Jorge Jesus claimed to have proof that ex-president Bruno Carvalho instigated the ultras attack, according to reports by Portuguese daily Publico.
