Sporting issues a statement from Joao Mario accusing Inter and Benfica

Sporting issued a statement regarding Joao Mario’s termination with Inter Milan and Benfica’s signing of the 28-year-old midfielder.

Lions remember the anti-rival clause signed in 2016 when the player went to the Nerazzurri, with the Italian club and Joao Mario pledging €30m if he was registered by Portuguese clubs, including Benfica.

“He is convinced by the Board of Directors of Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD that a means was used for Inter and player Joao Mario to seek to avoid what they signed with Sporting Clube Portugal – Futebol, SAD in 2016” read in point 3 of the statement, this is already after Leonino said that the termination with Inter and the subsequent linking of Joao Mario to Benfica came after the Italian club rejected an offer from Sporting to acquire the player.

Sporting notes that “this means only that all parties were aware of the commitments they made in 2016 that they intend to avoid after 5 years.”

Al-Aswad guarantees that it will go to court instead in order to hold the “intervenors responsible for the damage caused and the failure to comply with the assumed obligations.”

The full sports version:

“In light of the news coming to the public yesterday and today, Sporting R reports the following:

1. In 2016, upon the transfer of Joao Mario from Sporting Lisbon to Inter Milan, the Italian club and Joao Mario pledged, among other things, to pay an additional €30,000,000 if and when the player was registered in their favour. Portuguese clubs, including SLB;
2. As is known and infamous, FC Internazionale Milano and player João Mário agreed yesterday to terminate, by agreement, the employment contract that united them, so that the player is bound, by continuing action, to an employment contract with SLB; This is after FC Inter Milan rejected an offer from Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, prevailing for the player in question;
3. He is convinced by the Board of Directors of Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD that a method was used until Inter and player Joao Mario sought to avoid what they signed with Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, prevailed in 2016;
4. and that this method only makes it clear that all parties are aware of the obligations they assumed in 2016 and that they intend to avoid after 5 years;
5. Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD This newsletter will not be fed publicly, which is intended to distract uncomfortable attention from other current affairs;
6. But it will not fail to defend the interests of Sporting Clube de Portugal and Sporting Clube de Portugal – Fútebol, SAD at its headquarters, and to hold the intruders responsible for the damages caused by the failure to fulfill the obligations undertaken.