Sporting hit by more player departures

Rui Patricio and Daniel Podence handed in their notices last week and they have since been joined by Carvalho, Martins, Fernandes and Dost, citing "just cause" as the reason for breaking their contracts with Sporting.

The mass exodus has come as the result of a training ground attack where 50 fans invaded the pitch assaulting players and staff in a shocking end to a tumultuous campaign.

More than one player was injured while the dressing room was destroyed, leaving many feeling unsafe at the Portuguese club.

With many of the players involved in Fernando Santos' World Cup squad for this summer's tournament, it has been an unwelcomed distraction too.

However, with Portugal set to face Spain on Friday, their situation has been somewhat overshadowed by the events in their opposition's camp which saw head coach Julen Lopetegui relieved of his duties just 48 hours before the match was due to kick-off.