Official Statement by Sporting Football Club
Announcement on statements of John Moutinho
Following the statements made yesterday by the Media player Joao Moutinho, which expressed willingness to be transferred to another club, which already forward to the Board and Director of Sports Society, for alleged reasons of a personal nature, the Board of Directors has informed the following:
1. Last Saturday the FIFA agent Pini Zahavi, fitted with a letter of representation issued by Everton FC visit to the headquarters of the Society and be transmitted intention of the English club offered 15 M € for the acquisition of sports rights of the player Joao Moutinho, can the that figure eventually add an amount not yet determined if the Everton FC to qualify for the Champions League.
2. The proposal was rejected outset and was sent to Mr Pini Zahavi, who acted in the dual capacity as representative of the player and Everton FC, which was not the intention Sporting, SAD transfer the player.
3. As is public knowledge, Joao Moutinho of the contract was substantially improved last year and provides for a termination clause in the value of 25 million € which can be exercised until June 15 of each year. Any proposals submitted after that date, although not binding on the Company, will have to comply with certain requirements, which did not happen.
4.Por addition to Sporting, SAD believes that their structures will have the ability to create the conditions for an athlete, that much pride, beyond the questions of a personal nature which faces and can continue to feel good and happy in their midst.
5. Finally, reveals that the personal reasons that the player pleads to transfer are completely unrelated to Sporting SAD and the employment relationship it maintains with the player and, as such, it can not justify in any way an act of management that does not advocate adequately the interests of the Company and its shareholders.
Lisbon, July 27, 2008