Report: Sporting CP Facing Exodus of Stars After Mass Contract Termination

According to reports emanating from Portugal, a large contingent on Sporting CP stars will leave the Lisbon based club for free this summer.

According to reports emanating from Portugal, a large contingent on Sporting CP stars will leave the Lisbon based club for free this summer, after letters confirming the termination of their contracts were submitted to the Portuguese Football Federation.

William Carvalho, Gelson Martins and Bruno Fernandes have already advanced with Sporting's request for rescission, while Rui Patrício and Daniel Podence are also set to depart the club this summer, as reported by Portuguese news outlet Record.

The news follows a malicious attack on Sporting's players and staff at the Academy of Alcochete last month, where around 50 hooded supporters, armed with belts and stick, attacked the players at the end of a training session.

This was understood to be in response to Sporting missing out on qualification for next season's Champions League place, with Leões having come third in Liga NOS.

However, it is crucial that the entirety of the process is finalized this week, with Thursday being a month since the attack at the Academy of Alcochete, thereby ending the the legal term for terminations for just cause.

Speaking regarding the termination of his contract, Patricio recently said: "I was the victim of physical and psychological violence, so in order to preserve my personal and professional dignity, I wish to end the contract that ties me to Sporting.”

Should their contracts being terminated, their is expected to be widespread interest in their services, with Martins reportedly interesting Arsenal, and Carvalho having been long linked with a move to West Ham.