Wolves 'should be banned from signing players' say Sporting as bitter dispute continues

They also want Wolves to pay £48million for Rui Patricio – and for the keeper to be banned from playing for the next six months.

The remarkable requests have been made in a lengthy document, sent to FIFA and entitled 'Sporting versus Rui Patricio and Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club'.

The 63 page document has been published by Portuguese publication Record and levels strong accusations at Wolves, Patricio and his agent Jorge Mendes, who brokered the deal to bring him to Molineux.

It's an increasingly complex and bitter dispute that shows no sign of being resolved soon.

Patricio resigned from Sporting on May 31 shortly after the club training ground was stormed by hooligans. He soon joined Wolves on a free transfer but Sporting are demanding money from Wolves.

The at-times bizarre document has been compiled by Sporting's lawyers and claims Patricio ended his contract without just cause – and that Wolves lured him to do so.

"It is crystal clear that (Wolves) has induced (Patricio) to terminate the contract without just cause.

"In this regard, (Sporting) and (Wolves) had negotiated the transfer of the player during the days preceding the player's termination on May 31.

"It is highly likely the player got influenced by (Wolves) and the player's agent in order to terminate the contract with immediate effect as all three parties would benefit from the transfer," the complaint says.

"It is no coincidence that the player noticed the termination of his contract after Sporting requested a transfer fee which was in the player's view too high.

"When deciding the case, the FIFA DRC (Dispute Resolution Chamber) should consider the consequences of a termination of an employment contract with immediate effect for Sporting due to an accident which was even with more security and safety measures at the training ground unavoidable.

"If the FIFA DRC would decide in this case in favour of the player it would open doors for criminal manipulation and create a dangerous jurisprudence for the future."

Sporting say siding with Patricio would 'fundamentally run against the principal of contractual stability' and that it is an 'undoubted fact' that Patricio spoke with other clubs before he terminated his deal.

For their part Wolves are keeping their counsel and refusing to become embroiled in a bitter war of words. The club are known to be confident they have acted properly and in a legally sound manner.

Sporting have come to the €54m valuation (€45m transfer fee and €9m for the remainder of Patricio's contract by stating that 31-year-old Patricio is one of the world's best goalkeepers and, being a keeper, could have 10 years left in his career.

They reference the €40m move of keeper Ederson from Benfica to Manchester City last summer and state that Patricio is worth more.

Patricio hasn't yet trained with Wolves owing to being given time off after the World Cup.

He is due at Compton Park next week.