Sporting CP, Atletico Madrid’s opponents in the Europa League, have suspended 19 ‘spoiled brats’ in their first team.
Marca reports Sporting’s players were in ‘mutiny’ after the ‘harsh criticism’ of their performance during Thursday’s 2-0 defeat to Atleti by President Bruno de Carvalho.
It was followed by reports of the team refusing to train if De Carvalho did not give them an explanation for his words, before goalkeeper and captain Rui Patricio issued a condemnation of the patron.
“[All the players involved] are immediately suspended and will be disciplined by the club,” responded the supremo.
“They are, in addition to Rui Patricio, William Carvalho, [Sebastian] Coates, [Fabio] Coentrao, Gelson [Martins], [Cristiano] Piccini, [Marcos] Acuna, [Rodrigo] Battaglia, Bryan Ruiz, Bruno Fernandes, [Fredy] Montero, [Stefan] Ristovski, Wendel, Ruben Ribeiro, [Seydou] Doumbia, Bruno Cesar, [Daniel] Podence, Palhinha and [Rafael] Leao.
"These spoiled brats think they’re above the club and immune to any criticism, but this time my patience has run out with those who believe that.
However, notably missing from the list were top goalscorer Bas Dost and former Barcelona defender Jeremy Mathieu.
Sporting trail Portuguese League leaders Benfica by six points with only six games remaining and have lost three of their last four matches.
They face Pacos de Ferreira on Sunday, prior to hosting Atleti for the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final.
