Vitoria Setubal face selection crisis for clash with Sporting with over 20 first team players hit with virus

Vitoria Setubal may be forced to call up youth players for their match with Sporting CP after three quarters of their first-team squad are taken down with a virus.

Setubal had requested the match be postponed due to the extensive list of absentees, but this proposal was unable to be approved by Sporting CP, meaning that the match will go ahead.

It was explained by the league that Sporting “would only consider [the postponement] if Vitoria agrees to a medical assessment from an independent group, which includes the medic of Sporting - Joao Pedro Araujo - that certifies the physical condition of the players.”

“This scenario was rejected by the president and sports director of Vitoria FC, so the league, respecting the regulations, allowed the game between the two clubs to go ahead at the scheduled time and day.”

The Setubal president, Vitor Hugo Valente, previously said that Sporting declined their request for postponement of the match “via email” saying that “Sporting told us that it is not possible due to the other competitions they are taking part in, the League Cup and the Europa League.”

“We already communicated that there are dates that don’t interfere with these competitions or the league… playing without players is against football.”

Now, Setubal will have to make do with the players that are left at their disposal, with Valente saying yesterday that “over 80%” of their players are unable to play.

Since the decision that the game would go ahead was made, Valente said: “It is a depressing spectacle for football.”

There will be further intrigue surrounding the match, with fans of Manchester United particularly interested to see if Bruno Fernandes starts the match.

Silvio, who has been a regular starter for Vitoria FC this season. Photo author: Fanny Schertzer. License link.