Study by Universidade Europeia into Portuguese football fans

A study by Universidade Europeia in partnership with the internet portal Sapo has found that Sporting's fans are the most dedicated out of the big three clubs in Portugal. On a scale of 0 to 10, Sporting rates 9.2, ahead of Benfica and FC Porto

The study was based on more than 1505 questionnaires collected on the 28th and 29th of July. The study also revealed that although Benfica has more fans, a higher percentage of Sporting's fans are club members.

Construction is on schedule, ready for next year's opening

It was on the 3rd of August 2015 that work got underway on the João Rocha Arena.

The Sporting Journal has been following progress with a keen eye, sitting down this week with the building site's supervisor to find out more.

"We have finished the structure and facade. You can't tell from outside, but the stands are ready and most of the interior spaces are complete. Everything for water, drains and air conditioning is good to go, so all we are missing is the final covering on the outside. We should be finished by the 30th of December", said Horácio Preto.

The Arena is expected to officially open in March 2017, with a capacity for 3000 seated spectators, a new club store and an extended museum.

Sporting Clube de Portugal remembers Mário Moniz Pereira

Known as Mr. Athletics for his success in the sport, Moniz Pereira was a symbol of Sporting in a wide variety of disciplines.

Mário Moniz Pereira brought 30 Male National Track Championships, 24 Female National Track Championships, 33 Male Cross Country Championships and 12 European Champions Club Cup Cross Country Cups to Alvalade in what was a glorious career at the head of Sporting's athletics department.

Mário Moniz Pereira will forever live on in the history of Sporting Clube de Portugal and the whole country.

Sporting coach happy with improving performances with two weeks until official action

Jorge Jesus was understandably satisfied with his side's performance against Wolsburg this Saturday night, conquering a fifth consecutive Five Violins Trophy in the process. Happy with what he saw from a much changed squad, the Sporting coach opened: "We calmed a lot of nerves today. I know what team I have available to me and I know what players I have, so I am not worried at all about pre-season results. What we need to do at this stage is push the pace and the lads will be ready. We brought Adrien and João Mário off at the break, because they were already really fatigued. It was an intensive match tonight, but we still have two weeks and the squad will be better when the 13th of August comes around."

Reflecting on the game itself, Jorge Jesus again praised his team and spoke about what the trophy means to him: "This is a tribute to the Five Violins. They were known for their quality, it was like music when they played together. Today we played our own kind of music too. We showed quality in attack and defence, against a good side to be honest. We made a lot of changes and that makes it harder, but we steadied again in the last 10 minutes. You could see a huge difference in the lads tonight compared to the start of pre-season. They know where to position themselves now and are tactically more creative."

Finishing with a word on new signing Marcelo Meli, who was presented to the fans yesterday, Jesus foi was direct: "From a financial point of view, these players are good finds that need a lot of work. It is easy to go out their and spend millions, but we want to bring in players and get the best out of them."

Adrien on Sporting's pre-season campaign and transfer rumours

Adrien made his first pre-season appearance this Saturday with a dominating showing against Wolfsburg.

"It was an important match to get us up to speed. Even the lads who came on in the second-half did well. After such a long break it is always hard to come back, but that it what we are doing", said the Alvalade skipper in a flash interview at the final whistle, adding a word on transfer rumours floating around: "The same thing happens every year, it is part of being in football. Of course we want to keep the best players here and the club knows what to do."

Adrien finished with a response to a question on João Mário: "João feels good here and everyone likes him. Everything else is up to him and Sporting. Just like João, I am happy here as well. People making bids is part of the profession, but I am happy here."

Sporting SAD and Augusto Inácio end formal contract

In light of the new regulations approved by the Portuguese Professional Football League, which prohibit club employees from taking part in television programmes as commentators, Augusto Inácio has considered his continued participation in the media in defence of transparency in football as fundamental.

In showing his passion for the club and in refusing to accept that his freedom of expression should be restricted, Augusto Inácio has decided to terminate his formal contract with Sporting CP.

Sporting CP thanks Augusto Inácio for his professionalism and work developed in the various roles he was asked to take on and we wish him the best of personal and professional success. Sporting will always be his home.

Former international official in Alvalade to reflect on the rules introduced this year

The former international referee, Pedro Henriques, was in Estádio José Alvalade this week for a seminar on the new rules introduced by the International Board on the 1st of June this year.

"A lot of changes were made. The Rules of the Game are better organised now. The idea today was to speak about the most relevant changes, but just the fact that UEFA and FIFA have changed something is good. We are talking about organisations that are very reluctant to change anything at all, despite clubs insisting, as was the case with Sporting and video referees. This is a good sign though and we are on the right track", said Henriques at the event.

Half price tickets on the 12th of August

The Sporting Museum will celebrate World Youth Day on the 12th of August by offering a 50% of tickets for visitors age 12 to 29.

The younger generations are crucial in carrying the club's glorous past forward into the future, while also acting as a source of modern ideas in sport.

A grande promessa do hóquei espanhol vai vestir de verde e branco

At just 19 years of age, Ferran Font is already considered as one of Spain's brightest roller hockey prospects. Font now makes the move to Alvalade, picking the Lisbon capital over Barcelona.

"I really liked the project which was explained to be. Portugal has a long tradition in roller hockey and it wasn't a difficult decision for me", said Font on penning the deal, adding: "The club is putting a lot into roller hockey and we have a lot of titles to win."

Ferran Font joins up with fellow new arrivals Ricardo Oliveira, known as Caio, and Gonçalo Nunes, who is also one of roller hockey's most promising youngsters.

Match against Lyon to start 45 minutes before kick-off

With just 48 hours to go until Sporting's first encounter in Alvalade this season, the club would like to announce that the players will be out on the pitch at 19H45 (45 minutes before kick-off), for an official presentation to the fans.