Club statement regarding Miroslav Blazevic

In light of recent statements made by Mr. Miroslav Blazevic, Sporting Clube de Portugal notes the following:

1. Sporting Clube de Portugal vemently reputes the statements made by Mr. Miroslav Blazevic. As well as being an insult to Sporting Clube de Portugal and all Sporting fans, the former Croatia national coach also offended Portugal and all Portuguese people. We consider this to be unacceptable.

2. Never, in is almost 110 years of history, has Sporting Clube de Portugal tolerated attitudes which call true sportsmanship into doubt and the club has never tolerated such behaviour from other institutions. Moreover, the current board of directors has been working to guarantee further transparency in what is proof of Sporting Clube de Portugal's dedication to the ideals of true sportsmanship.

3. Sporting Clube de Portugal has already taken the decision to litigate against Mr. Miroslav Blazevic in the appropriate forums, to prove that his statements are unacceptable and unfounded.

4. Sporting Clube de Portugal shows total solidarity with the Portuguese Football Federation in relation to however that institution wishes to proceed.

5. Mr. Miroslav Blazevic is a man fraught with hate, but he is also spiteful. If he was worthy of credit, considering the experience that his 81 years should have given him, the Croatian Football Federation, with whom he worked, would have recognised his know-how for preparing for Saturday's match against Portugal. As he himself assumed, this did not happen.