What Sporting did to the last player who 'refused to play' as Viktor Gyokeres threatens boycott

Sporting CP are reportedly dealing with another player boycott threat as the situation involving star striker Viktor Gyokeres looks set to get messy.

Gyokeres is one of the hottest strikers in world football and has attracted interest from a number of leading clubs, including Arsenal, Manchester United and Juventus.

After scoring 97 goals in two seasons for the Portuguese giants, it was reported that Gyokeres had a gentleman's agreement to leave Sporting and the player himself was under the impression that could leave for a fee of €60m plus €10m in add-ons instead of the €100 million release clause in his contract.

However, with talk that they are demanding €80 million - Gyokeres is of the view that Sporting are going back on their word and he is now prepared to go on strike to force a move - telling manager Rui Borges and other club officials that he will not play again.

In response, the club's president Frederico Varandas released an explosive statement on the matter - accusing Gyokeres and his entourage of "blackmail and insults".

He also stated that the 27-year-old will not be leaving for €60m plus €10 million.

Viktor Gyokeres wants to leave Sporting CP this summer. Image: Getty

What happened to the last Sporting player who 'refused to play'?

The scenario is almost as carbon copy for Sporting as in 2020, star man Bruno Fernandes wanted to leave for United.

In the summer, Fernandes had looked set to sign for Spurs after many positive talks but Sporting performed a u-turn and after hiking his price, sold Raphinha to Rennes.

According to the BBC, a fuming Fernandes told Varandas to go away when he tried to explain the thought process.

Six months later when United came calling, Fernandes is said to have gone at Varandas again when Sporting were playing hard-ball over the fee.

As per Duncan Castles, speaking on the Transfer Window podcast, Fernandes didn't mince his words and essentially told Varandas, "You cut my legs off in the summer".

Referencing the Spurs collapse, Fernandes told the 45-year-old that he felt he was promised a move in January would be sanctioned and said, "I need to go now.”

It was also claimed that Fernandes threatened to refuse to play in the derby with Benfica in order to make the move happen, though he did end up featuring in a 2-0 defeat.

In the end, the former Udinese and Sampdoria midfielder got what he wanted as he sealed a move to United for a total fee of £68 million and has gone on to play 290 times, scoring 98 goals.