Porto quartet face bans for holiday breach

EUROPEAN champions FC Porto will suspend four of their Brazilian players, including teenage playmaker Diego, after they failed to return on time from their Christmas holiday.

Diego, along with striker Derlei, defender Pepe and winger Maciel, were banned from training with the rest of the squad yesterday.

The four were due back at club headquarters on Friday but Diego, Pepe and Derlei only showed up at training yesterday while Maciel, whose brother has reportedly been shot in Brazil, has not returned.

“It is not right to be late but we are going to talk now to see what can be done,” said Derlei.

Meanwhile, Sporting Lisbon are still without their Brazilian striker Liedson, the leading scorer in the league with 12 goals, who has yet to return from his vacation in Brazil. He is due back tomorrow.