Soccer-Sporting defend coach Amorim after complaint by coaches' union

Sporting Clube De Portugal Futebol SAD

08/03/2021 12:39

LISBON, March 8 (Reuters) - Sporting have defended their
manager Ruben Amorim and denounced a complaint against him by
the national coaches' union, which has asked for him to be
suspended for up to six years for not being qualified as a head
coach.
    The Lisbon club, who are on course to win their first title
in 19 years, said in an official statement that the coaches'
union had accused Amorim of committing fraud when he became
Sporting's manager in March 2020.
    The union complained at the time that Amorim had registered
as an assistant coach rather than as a head coach as he had not
yet qualified for the top job.
    The national league's commission of coaches has now charged
Amorim with fraud, calling for him to be suspended for between
one and six years.
    Sporting described the situation as "one of the most
regrettable and surreal episodes in the history of Portuguese
football", saying Amorim had followed the rules and adding there
was "no legal basis" for him to be suspended. 
    A Sporting spokesman said the national football federation
will hear the case and decide whether or not Amorim should be
sanctioned but did not say when a decision would be made.
    A former Portugal international, 36-year-old Amorim had
worked as a top-flight coach for less than two months when
Sporting prised him from Braga, where he had previously been the
reserve team's coach.
    After guiding the team to this year's League Cup, Amorim has
set Sporting on course to win a first national championship
since 2002.
    His side top the standings with a 10-point lead over nearest
challengers Porto with 12 matches remaining.

 (Reporting by Catarina Demony in Lisbon, writing by Richard
Martin
Editing by Christian Radnedge)
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