Portugal mum on Sporting crisis

PORTUGAL midfielder Joao Mario deflected questions on the crisis engulfing Sporting Lisbon that has seen four national team players at the World Cup rescind their contracts with the troubled club.

William Carvalho, Gelson Martins and Bruno Fernandes, as well as Dutch striker Bas Dost, all filed notice with Portuguese authorities on Monday to say they were breaking their contracts with Sporting, claiming just cause.

Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio had already walked out of the club before flying to Russia amid the fallout from last month’s horrific gang attack on players and coaches by disgruntled fans.

“Everything that has to do with questions not related to our national team are not going to be discussed because we are all focused on our games for Portugal and the match with Spain,” Mario said at the team’s base camp on the outskirts of Moscow.

“Everything that doesn’t have to do with the World Cup should be postponed until later.” – AFP