Sporting CP President Warns Gyokeres: Fine and Apology For Tardiness

Last Updated:July 13, 2025, 19:58 IST

Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas warned Viktor Gyokeres of a fine and apology for missing pre-season training. Linked with Arsenal, Gyokeres faces disciplinary action.

Viktor Gyokeres (X)

Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas has issued a stern warning to star striker Viktor Gyokeres, stating the Swedish international will face a fine and be required to apologise to his teammates after failing to report on time for pre-season training.

The 27-year-old, who has been heavily linked with a move to Premier League giants Arsenal, was expected to join Sporting’s training camp in Portugal’s Algarve region on July 12, following an extended break. However, Gyokeres did not show up, prompting disciplinary action from the club.

Speaking to Portuguese news agency Lusa on Saturday, Varandas downplayed the growing tension but made it clear that the club would not tolerate unprofessional behaviour.

“We’re calm. Everything will be resolved with the closing of the market, a heavy fine, and an apology to the group," said Varandas.

He further criticised the tactics of those trying to engineer Gyokeres’s departure.

“If they (interested clubs) don’t want to pay fair market value for Viktor, we are very comfortable with that for the next three years.

If the geniuses who are devising this strategy think that this puts pressure on me to facilitate the exit, they are not only completely wrong but are also making the player’s exit even more complicated.

No one is above the club’s interests, whoever they may be."

Gyokeres Drawing Interest Across Europe

Gyokeres has emerged as one of Europe’s most sought-after forwards, with both Arsenal and Manchester United reportedly monitoring his situation closely. Despite the growing speculation, Sporting remain firm in their valuation and are unwilling to sell below market price.

The striker joined Sporting from Coventry City in 2023 and has since become a prolific goal scorer, netting an astonishing 97 goals in 102 appearances. His goals played a crucial role in securing back-to-back Primeira Liga titles for the club in the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons.

Sporting are currently preparing for a pre-season friendly against Scottish champions Celtic, scheduled to take place at the Estadio Algarve on Wednesday. It remains unclear whether Gyokeres will join the squad before the match.

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...Read More

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...

Read More

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