Troubled Portuguese side Sporting elected former club doctor Frederico Varandas as its new president on Sunday "after months of turmoil which included an attack by hooded supporters on the team training camp," according to Brian Homewood of REUTERS. Varandas, who was in charge of the medical department from '11 until earlier this year, finished ahead of former futsal goalkeeper João Benedito in the election after a "passionate campaign" which resulted in a record 22,510 votes cast by club members. Varandas said, "It's the greatest mission of my life." Varandas replaces Bruno de Carvalho, who was ousted in June in another vote by club members "after a turbulent few months." Following a Europa League defeat against Atlético Madrid in April, De Carvalho "threatened to suspend almost the entire first-team squad and lashed out at the players," calling them "spoilt children." In May, the club's training ground outside Lisbon "suffered an attack by hooded supporters, some armed with sticks." Nine players quit in protest at the attack, "citing just cause, and some of them accused De Carvalho of inciting anger among the fans" (REUTERS, 9/9).
