Sporting CP players, staff assaulted by group of masked intruders

Portuguese giant Sporting CP condemned the actions of a large group of fans who forced their way into club training on Tuesday, assaulting several members of the club's staff and squad while trashing a changing room.

The top-flight side posted a statement later Tuesday denouncing the "acts of vandalism and the attacks on athletes, coaches, and staff," as translated by BBC Sport.

The club statement added: "We will make every effort to establish full responsibility for what has happened and we will demand the punishment of those who acted in this absolutely pitiful way."

According to Portuguese outlet RTP, courtesy of the Associated Press, approximately 50 masked intruders broke into the training ground, with striker Bas Dost among those suffering injuries.

The Associated Press added that the locker room was vandalised and several members of the media were accosted.

Sporting was preparing for this Sunday's Portuguese Cup final against Aves after narrowly missing out on a Champions League spot courtesy of a shock defeat against Maritimo. That result prompted reports that club president Bruno de Carvalho had suspended manager Jorge Jesus, but the club released a statement denying that speculation.

The Primeira Liga also released a statement Tuesday "strongly condemning the violent acts."

"The behaviours that are being reported by the press are regrettable and have no place in professional football. The perpetrators are not football fans, but criminals," the statement continued.