Editing Sporting CP (section)

===Second league title drought (2002–2021)===

====2002–2009====
[[File:Estádio Alvalade XXI.jpg|thumb|273x273px|A new stadium, [[Estádio José Alvalade]], was inaugurated in 2003.]]
Sporting have failed to win [[Primeira Liga]] again since 2002. On 6 August 2003, the new Sporting CP's stadium, the [[Estádio José Alvalade]], was inaugurated.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atual Estádio José Alvalade foi inaugurado há 13 anos |url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/sporting/inauguracao/atual-estadio-jose-alvalade-foi-inaugurado-ha-13-anos |access-date=2023-10-11 |website=Maisfutebol |language=pt |archive-date=15 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015191231/https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/sporting/inauguracao/atual-estadio-jose-alvalade-foi-inaugurado-ha-13-anos |url-status=live }}</ref> In the [[2004–05 Sporting CP season|2004–05 season]], [[José Peseiro]]-led Sporting was leading the [[2004–05 Primeira Liga|Primeira Liga]] and was trailing a remarkable journey in [[2004–05 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup]]. However, at the end of the season, the team eventually lost all the chances of winning any trophy that season: the first set-back had already happened on 26 January 2005 when Sporting was eliminated from Taça de Portugal after losing 7–6 on penalties against Benfica. Nevertheless, Sporting was able to reach the leadership of Primeira Liga, and on 5 May the team booked their second European final, after defeating Dutch team [[AZ Alkmaar|AZ]] in UEFA Cup. While awaiting the Final, on 14 May, Sporting lost its penultimate match in [[Primeira Liga]] against [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]] and dropped to third place. By the end of the season, the team eventually finished 2004–05 Primeira Liga in that place. Lastly, playing the [[2005 UEFA Cup Final]] at their [[José Alvalade Stadium|home ground]], on 18 May, Sporting lost 1–3 against Russian side [[PFC CSKA Moscow|CSKA Moscow]], after being 1–0 up at halftime.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sporting CP-CSKA Moskva: UEFA Europa League 2004/05 Final |url=https://pt.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/80814--sporting-cp-vs-cska-moskva/ |access-date=2023-11-02 |website=[[UEFA]] |language=pt |archive-date=2 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102005701/https://pt.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/80814--sporting-cp-vs-cska-moskva/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Domestically, Sporting had back-to-back wins in the [[Taça de Portugal|Portuguese Cup]] in [[2006–07 Taça de Portugal|2007]] and [[2007–08 Taça de Portugal|2008]] (led by coach [[Paulo Bento]]). Sporting also reached, for the first time, the knockout phase of [[UEFA Champions League]], in the [[2008–09 UEFA Champions League|2008–09 season]], but were roundly defeated by [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]], with an aggregate loss of 12–1. This is widely regarded as one of the lowest points in the history of the club.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sporting sofre humilhação histórica |url=http://www.jn.pt/PaginaInicial/Desporto/Interior.aspx?content_id=1166263 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222124007/http://www.jn.pt/PaginaInicial/Desporto/Interior.aspx?content_id=1166263 |archive-date=22 December 2015 |access-date=18 December 2015 |website=jn.pt |publisher=Rui Miguel Melo}}</ref> The club almost reached another European final in 2012, but were dropped out of the competition by [[Athletic Bilbao]], in the semi-finals of the [[2011–12 UEFA Europa League|2011–12 Europa League]].<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/le-at-bilbao-sporting-3-1-cronica|title = LE: At. Bilbao-Sporting, 3–1 (crónica)|date = 26 April 2012|access-date = 23 December 2015|website = maisfutebol.iol.pt|archive-date = 24 December 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151224194807/http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/le-at-bilbao-sporting-3-1-cronica|url-status = live}}</ref>

==== Financial mismanagement and 2013 election ====
After years of [[financial mismanagement]], Sporting had amassed debts exceeding €276&nbsp;million by 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.ionline.pt/399398|title = Sporting. Soares Franco pode ser o senhor que se segue na lista das expulsões|date = 27 July 2015|access-date = 23 December 2015|website = ionline.pt|last = Tavares|first = Isabel|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151223092130/http://www.ionline.pt/399398|archive-date = 23 December 2015|url-status = dead}}</ref> The results on the pitch were also negative, with Sporting finishing seventh in the [[2012–13 Primeira Liga]], their lowest ever finish.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://desporto.sapo.pt/futebol/primeira_liga/artigo/2013/05/20/o-pior-sporting-de-sempre|title = O pior Sporting de sempre|date = 20 May 2013|access-date = 23 December 2015|website = desporto.sapo.pt|publisher = Eduardo Santiago|archive-date = 23 December 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151223170754/http://desporto.sapo.pt/futebol/primeira_liga/artigo/2013/05/20/o-pior-sporting-de-sempre|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.publico.pt/desporto/noticia/pacos-afunda-ainda-mais-o-sporting-com-triunfo-em-alvalade-1579621|title = Paços de Ferreira deixa Sporting a um ponto da zona de despromoção|date = 5 January 2013|access-date = 23 December 2015|website = publico.pt|publisher = Paulo Curado|archive-date = 13 April 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160413165808/https://www.publico.pt/desporto/noticia/pacos-afunda-ainda-mais-o-sporting-com-triunfo-em-alvalade-1579621|url-status = live}}</ref> Managerial changes occurred within months or weeks apart: from November 2009 to May 2013, nine managers were contracted, with none of them lasting an entire season. In 2013, after pressure from club members, president Godinho Lopes resigned,<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://desporto.sapo.pt/futebol/primeira_liga/artigo/2013/02/03/godinho-lopes-demite-se-na-terca-feira|title = Godinho Lopes demite-se na terça-feira (Godinho Lopes resigns on Tuesday)|date = 3 February 2013|access-date = 23 December 2015|website = desporto.sapo.pt|archive-date = 23 December 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151223170552/http://desporto.sapo.pt/futebol/primeira_liga/artigo/2013/02/03/godinho-lopes-demite-se-na-terca-feira|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.vavel.com/pt/futebol-portugues/313826-guerra-e-paz.html|title = Sporting 2013: Guerra e Paz|date = 26 December 2013|access-date = 23 December 2015|website = vavel.com|publisher = Bruno Gomes|archive-date = 23 December 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151223140706/http://www.vavel.com/pt/futebol-portugues/313826-guerra-e-paz.html|url-status = live}}</ref> and shortly afterwards, [[Bruno de Carvalho]] was elected president in a snap election.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.publico.pt/desporto/noticia/bruno-de-carvalho-e-o-novo-presidente-do-sporting-1588913|title = Bruno de Carvalho é o novo presidente do Sporting (Bruno de Carvalho is the new president of Sporting)|date = 20 March 2013|access-date = 23 December 2015|website = publico.pt|publisher = Jorge Miguel Matias e Tiago Pimentel|archive-date = 8 March 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160308004753/http://www.publico.pt/desporto/noticia/bruno-de-carvalho-e-o-novo-presidente-do-sporting-1588913|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://expresso.sapo.pt/desporto/bruno-carvalho-confirmado-presidente-do-sporting=f796482|title = Bruno Carvalho confirmado presidente do Sporting|date = 26 March 2013|access-date = 23 December 2015|website = expresso.sapo.pt|publisher = Bruno Roseiro|archive-date = 23 December 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151223171446/http://expresso.sapo.pt/desporto/bruno-carvalho-confirmado-presidente-do-sporting=f796482|url-status = live}}</ref> Carvalho intended to return success to the football team, while threatening to take Godinho Lopes to court,<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 March 2015 |title=Vamos devolver a paz ao Sporting |url=https://desporto.sapo.pt/futebol/primeira_liga/artigo/2013/03/26/vamos-devolver-a-paz-ao-sporting |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223170234/http://desporto.sapo.pt/futebol/primeira_liga/artigo/2013/03/26/vamos-devolver-a-paz-ao-sporting |archive-date=23 December 2015 |access-date=23 December 2015 |website=desporto.sapo.pt |publisher=João Paulo Godinho}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 February 2013 |title=Bruno de Carvalho ameaça Godinho Lopes com tribunal |url=http://www.publico.pt/desporto/noticia/bruno-de-carvalho-ameaca-godinho-lopes-com-tribunal-1585218 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413085233/https://www.publico.pt/desporto/noticia/bruno-de-carvalho-ameaca-godinho-lopes-com-tribunal-1585218 |archive-date=13 April 2016 |access-date=23 December 2015 |website=publico.pt |publisher=Nuno Ferreira Santos}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=22 March 2013 |title=Interview: "O Sporting merecia outros candidatos e eu merecia outros adversários" |url=https://www.publico.pt/desporto/noticia/o-sporting-merecia-outros-candidatos--e-eu-merecia-outros-adversarios-1588689 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308012156/http://www.publico.pt/desporto/noticia/o-sporting-merecia-outros-candidatos--e-eu-merecia-outros-adversarios-1588689 |archive-date=8 March 2016 |access-date=23 December 2015 |website=publico.pt |publisher=Paulo Curado}}</ref> and to renegotiate the club's debt payment schedule with the banks involved,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bruno Carvalho explica "15 dias de trabalho faraónico" |url=https://expresso.pt/arquivo/desporto/bruno-carvalho-explica-15-dias-de-trabalho-faraonico=f799399 |access-date=2024-01-14 |website=Jornal Expresso |language=pt-PT}}</ref> which eventually renegotiated the debt in very favourable conditions for Sporting CP in the following years as part of the club's financial restructuring started by Carvalho and finalized by [[Frederico Varandas]] ten years later.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-04-30 |title=Bruno de Carvalho anuncia redução da dívida e explica empréstimo obrigacionista |url=https://rr.sapo.pt/noticia/sporting/2018/04/30/bruno-de-carvalho-anuncia-reducao-da-divida-e-explica-emprestimo-obrigacionista/111930/ |access-date=2024-01-14 |website=Rádio Renascença |language=pt-pt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sporting admite a entrada de um parceiro estratégico |url=https://www.ojogo.pt/2262737977/sporting-admite-a-entrada-de-um-parceiro-estrategico/ |access-date=2024-01-14 |website=O Jogo |date=27 December 2023 |language=pt}}</ref> This allowed Sporting CP to get a multimillion-euro [[debt relief]] – in contrast to their rivals.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Sporting corta 100 milhões de euros ao passivo |url=https://desporto.sapo.pt/futebol/primeira-liga/artigos/sporting-corta-100-milhoes-de-euros-ao-passivo |access-date=2024-01-13 |website=SAPO Desporto |language=pt}}</ref><ref>[https://eco.pt/opiniao/sporting-so-eu-sei-porque-nao-pago-ao-banco/ Sporting: Só eu sei porque não pago ao banco] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630011231/https://eco.pt/opiniao/sporting-so-eu-sei-porque-nao-pago-ao-banco/ |date=30 June 2018 }} ECO {{in lang|pt}}</ref> Carvalho's election brought Angolan investors to the club, most notably [[Álvaro Sobrinho]], through Holdimo, which ultimately took possession of 20 million shares of Sporting's [[Sociedade Anónima Desportiva|SAD]] through conversion of [[convertible debt]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Cavaleiro|first=Diogo|date=21 June 2013|title=Investidores angolanos são os novos accionistas do Sporting|trans-title=Angolan investors are the new shareholders in Sporting's SAD|url=https://www.jornaldenegocios.pt/empresas/desporto/detalhe/investidores_angolanos_sao_os_novos_accionistas_do_sporting|language=pt|newspaper=Jornal de Negócios|access-date=30 April 2018|archive-date=1 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501004438/https://www.jornaldenegocios.pt/empresas/desporto/detalhe/investidores_angolanos_sao_os_novos_accionistas_do_sporting|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Cavaleiro|first=Diogo|date=17 December 2016|title="Burocracias" da CMVM obrigam Sporting a divulgar posição de Sobrinho|trans-title=CMVM "bureaucracies" force Sporting to disclose Sobrinho's position|url=https://www.jornaldenegocios.pt/empresas/banca---financas/detalhe/cmvm-pediu-esclarecimentos-sobre-posicao-de-sobrinho-no-sporting|language=pt|newspaper=Jornal de Negócios|access-date=30 April 2018|archive-date=1 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501004433/https://www.jornaldenegocios.pt/empresas/banca---financas/detalhe/cmvm-pediu-esclarecimentos-sobre-posicao-de-sobrinho-no-sporting|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 5 June 2015, it was released an audit that analyzed the management of Sporting in the past 20 years: it concluded that in 1994 the club had €55 million worth of real estate assets and an almost nonexistent debt; by 2013, real estate assets were almost nonexistent, and the club had amassed a €331 million debt.<ref name="Expresso 2015-06-27">{{cite web |url=https://expresso.sapo.pt/desporto/2015-06-27--Auditoria-a-gestao-do-Sporting-implica-ex-gestores#gs.nTaGMWM |title=Auditoria à gestão do Sporting implica ex-gestores |last=Santos Guerreiro |first=Pedro |date=27 June 2015 |newspaper=Expresso |access-date=5 June 2018 |language=pt |trans-title=Audit to Sporting's management implicates former administrators |archive-date=23 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823174538/https://expresso.sapo.pt/desporto/2015-06-27--Auditoria-a-gestao-do-Sporting-implica-ex-gestores#gs.nTaGMWM |url-status=live }}</ref> Their new stadium (completed in 2003) cost 74% more than what was expected when its construction started (€184&nbsp;million against the planned €106&nbsp;million), while their training facility cost 24% more, and the costs of ''Alvalade XXI'' neighbourhood, a real estate complex located around the stadium, overshot its estimate by 60%; such complex was almost entirely sold in the following years, many estates of which were sold below market prices.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://observador.pt/2015/06/27/derrapagens-nos-custos-contratos-sem-papel-comissoes-pagas-os-socios-do-sporting-vao-saber/ |title=Derrapagens nos custos, contratos sem papel e comissões pagas: o que os sócios do Sporting vão saber |last1=Pombo |first1=Diogo |last2=Dinis |first2=David |date=27 June 2015 |newspaper=Observador |access-date=5 June 2018 |language=pt |trans-title=Overshootings, unwritten contracts and paid commissions: what Sporting's associates will know |archive-date=27 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727055349/https://observador.pt/2015/06/27/derrapagens-nos-custos-contratos-sem-papel-comissoes-pagas-os-socios-do-sporting-vao-saber/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

From 1995 to 2013, the club invested €261 million in the football team, however, with few sports and financial results.<ref name="Expresso 2015-06-27" /> The audit criticized many football transfers in the 2000s, in which the club paid commissions well above market prices to player agents, and discovered that Sporting even had paid commissions without evidence of written contracts.<ref name="Expresso 2015-06-27" /><ref name="Expresso 2015-06-27 2">{{cite web |url=https://expresso.sapo.pt/desporto/2015-06-27-Auditoria-denuncia-negocios-questionaveis-do-Sporting-com-agentes-e-fundos#gs.TSQdmJA |title=Auditoria denuncia negócios "questionáveis" do Sporting com agentes e fundos |last=Cabral |first=Mariana |date=27 June 2015 |newspaper=Expresso |access-date=5 June 2018 |language=pt |trans-title=Audit denounces "questionable" Sporting businesses with agents and funds |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142048/http://expresso.sapo.pt/desporto/2015-06-27-Auditoria-denuncia-negocios-questionaveis-do-Sporting-com-agentes-e-fundos#gs.TSQdmJA |url-status=live }}</ref> The audit also concluded that the administrations from 1995 to 2013 intended to convert Sporting, a multi-sports club, exclusively into a football club – although they did not openly admitted so – which was being done gradually through the closure of other sport modalities.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dn.pt/desporto/sporting/interior/auditoria-a-gestao-do-sporting-conclui-que-quiseram-acabar-com-o-ecletismo-4801218.html |title=Auditoria à gestão do Sporting conclui que quiseram acabar com o ecletismo |date=27 September 2015 |newspaper=Diário de Notícias |access-date=5 June 2018 |language=pt |trans-title=Audit to the management of Sporting concludes they intended to end with the club's eclecticism |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141746/https://www.dn.pt/desporto/sporting/interior/auditoria-a-gestao-do-sporting-conclui-que-quiseram-acabar-com-o-ecletismo-4801218.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Moreover, the audit also pointed out evidence of mismanagement and conflicts of interest by several administrators.<ref name="Expresso 2015-06-27" /> Considering the audit's results, club members approved the expulsion of Godinho Lopes as an associate of the club in June 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.publico.pt/2015/06/28/desporto/noticia/expulsao-para-godinho-lopes-suspensao-para-luis-duque-1700426 |title=Godinho Lopes expulso do Sporting por infracções "muito graves" |last=Vaza |first=Marco |date=28 June 2015 |newspaper=Público |access-date=5 June 2018 |language=pt |trans-title=Godinho Lopes expelled from Sporting for "very severe" wrongdoings |archive-date=2 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002003501/https://www.publico.pt/2015/06/28/desporto/noticia/expulsao-para-godinho-lopes-suspensao-para-luis-duque-1700426 |url-status=live }}</ref>

====2013–2020====
Led by coach [[Leonardo Jardim]] in the [[2013–14 Sporting Clube de Portugal season|2013–14 season]], Sporting finished second in the [[2013–14 Primeira Liga|league]], thus gaining direct access to the [[2014–15 UEFA Champions League]], their first Champions League presence in five years.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.jn.pt/PaginaInicial/Desporto/Interior.aspx?content_id=3820793|title = Sporting vence Belenenses e garante segundo lugar e acesso direto à "Champions"|date = 19 April 2014|access-date = 19 April 2014|website = jn.pt|publisher = 23 December 2015|archive-date = 23 December 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151223155053/http://www.jn.pt/PaginaInicial/Desporto/Interior.aspx?content_id=3820793|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tsf.pt/desporto/sporting/interior/sporting-vence-no-restelo-e-assegura-entrada-direta-na-champions-video-3820794.html|title=Sporting vence no Restelo e assegura entrada direta na "Champions"|date=19 April 2014|access-date=23 December 2015|website=TSF|archive-date=23 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223190046/http://www.tsf.pt/desporto/sporting/interior/sporting-vence-no-restelo-e-assegura-entrada-direta-na-champions-video-3820794.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Estadio José Alvalade - Sporting Clube de Portugal (15848471826).jpg|thumb|right|Sporting playing a home match against German club [[FC Schalke 04|Schalke 04]] for the [[2014–15 UEFA Champions League group stage]]|347x347px]]

In the [[2014–15 Sporting Clube de Portugal season|2014–15 season]], Sporting won their 16th [[2014–15 Taça de Portugal|Portuguese Cup]] in dramatic fashion. The Lisbon side, led by [[Marco Silva]], played the final against [[S.C. Braga|Braga]], and after a disastrous start, found themselves losing 0–2 at half-time and playing with ten men after the sending-off of [[Cédric Soares]]. With the final seemingly lost, [[Islam Slimani]] gave some hope to the fans as he scored the 1–2 on the 83-minute. In stoppage time, [[Fredy Montero]] managed to equalize, forcing extra-time. Sporting ultimately won the match 3–1 on penalties.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.portugoal.net/club-news/212-sporting-win-a-dramatic-taca-de-portugal-final-on-penalties|title = Sporting win dramatic Taça de Portugal final on penalties|date = 31 May 2015|access-date = 26 December 2015|website = portugoal.net|archive-date = 20 June 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150620001420/http://www.portugoal.net/club-news/212-sporting-win-a-dramatic-taca-de-portugal-final-on-penalties|url-status = live}}</ref> Celebrations ended in a pacific pitch invasion of Estádio José Alvalade by the fans, as the club touched silverware for the first time in seven years.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://pt.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=2252987.html|title = Sporting vence Taça de Portugal|date = 2015-05-31|access-date = 2015-11-24|website = [[UEFA]]|publisher = UEFA|archive-date = 23 July 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180723093207/https://pt.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=2252987.html|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.ojogo.pt/futebol/1a-liga/sporting/noticias/interior/festa-de-alvalade-termina-com-invasao-de-campo-4599604.html|title = Festa de Alvalade termina com invasão de campo|date = 2015-05-31|access-date = 2015-11-24|website = ojogo.pt|publisher = Jornal "O Jogo"|archive-date = 23 July 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180723040148/https://www.ojogo.pt/futebol/1a-liga/sporting/noticias/interior/festa-de-alvalade-termina-com-invasao-de-campo-4599604.html|url-status = live}}</ref>

In June 2015, [[Jorge Jesus]] joined Sporting after Benfica opted not to renew his contract as coach of the club, signing a three-year contract. Presented as the new manager of the club on 1 July, the managerial change took the rivalry of both Lisbon clubs to new heights.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://expresso.sapo.pt/desporto/2015-07-01-Os-sete-espinhos-de-Jesus|title = Os sete espinhos de Jesus|date = 1 July 2015|access-date = 23 December 2015|website = expresso.sapo.pt|publisher = Nicolau Santos|archive-date = 23 December 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151223170703/http://expresso.sapo.pt/desporto/2015-07-01-Os-sete-espinhos-de-Jesus|url-status = live}}</ref> Under Jesus' tenure, Sporting won the [[Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira|Portuguese Super Cup]] for the eighth time, against [[2014–15 Primeira Liga|back-to-back champions]] Benfica.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.jn.pt/PaginaInicial/Desporto/Interior.aspx?content_id=4722474|title = Sporting vence Benfica (1–0) e conquista oitava Supertaça|date = 9 August 2015|access-date = 23 December 2015|website = jn.pt|last = Silva|first = Susana|archive-date = 23 December 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151223154746/http://www.jn.pt/PaginaInicial/Desporto/Interior.aspx?content_id=4722474|url-status = live}}</ref> Despite a positive start, Sporting did not win any other trophy, finishing second in the [[2015–16 Primeira Liga|Primeira Liga]] with 86 points, two points behind Benfica, despite breaking their own points record in the league.

Following a [[2016–17 Sporting Clube de Portugal season|trophyless season]], Sporting won [[2017–18 Taça da Liga|their first Taça da Liga]] on a penalty shoot-out against [[Vitória de Setúbal]]. However, on 15 May 2018, days after finishing third in the [[2017–18 Primeira Liga|league]], several players and coaches were attacked by around 50 [[Ultras|ultra]] supporters of Sporting at the club's training ground (9 of them would be sentenced to at least a specified term of actual imprisonment<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-05-28 |title=Bruno de Carvalho e Mustafá absolvidos: Só 9 com prisão efetiva |url=https://www.dn.pt/pais/ataque-a-alcochete-nada-provado-contra-bruno-de-carvalho-12248328.html |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=DN |language=pt-PT |archive-date=31 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031105735/https://www.dn.pt/pais/ataque-a-alcochete-nada-provado-contra-bruno-de-carvalho-12248328.html |url-status=live }}</ref> after trial).<ref>{{cite news|date=15 May 2018|title=Sporting players, staff attacked by hooded supporters at training ground|url=https://en.as.com/en/2018/05/15/football/1526413343_228152.html|agency=Reuters|newspaper=As|access-date=16 May 2018|archive-date=16 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516003233/https://en.as.com/en/2018/05/15/football/1526413343_228152.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Kiley|first=Ben|date=15 May 2018|title=Sporting Lisbon players attacked at training ground after failing to secure Champions League spot|url=https://www.sportsjoe.ie/football/sporting-lisbon-attack-160186|website=Sports Joe|access-date=16 May 2018|archive-date=16 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516103435/https://www.sportsjoe.ie/football/sporting-lisbon-attack-160186|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=15 May 2018|title=Jesus e jogadores agredidos na Academia|trans-title=Jesus and players attacked at Academy|url=https://www.abola.pt/Nnh/Noticias/Ver/730529|language=pt|newspaper=A Bola|access-date=16 May 2018|archive-date=17 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517024802/https://www.abola.pt/Nnh/Noticias/Ver/730529|url-status=live}}</ref> Five days later, Sporting lost the [[2018 Taça de Portugal Final|Portuguese Cup final]] to [[C.D. Aves|Aves]]. About a month later, Bruno de Carvalho was dismissed by club members after a general assembly on 23 June.<ref name=AG>{{cite news|title=Todo o filme da Assembleia Geral que afastou Bruno de Carvalho da presidência|trans-title=The entire film of the General Assembly that took Bruno de Carvalho away from presidency|url=https://www.abola.pt/Nnh/Noticias/Ver/736853|language=pt|work=A Bola|access-date=24 June 2018|quote=Oficial: Bruno de Carvalho já não é presidente do Sporting, depois de o 'sim' à sua destituição ter recolhido 71 por cento das preferências dos sócios. 28 por cento dos sócios pretendiam a continuidade do ex-presidente do clube de Alvalade.|archive-date=10 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710033119/https://www.abola.pt/nnh/Noticias/Ver/736853|url-status=live}}</ref> This followed the [[rescission (contract law)|rescission]]s of nine players: [[Bruno Fernandes]], [[Daniel Podence]], [[Rui Patricio]], [[Rodrigo Battaglia]], [[Rafael Leão]], [[Rúben Ribeiro (footballer, born 1987)|Rúben Ribeiro]],  [[Bas Dost]], [[Gelson Martins]] and [[William Carvalho]].<ref>{{cite news|date=14 June 2018|title=Bruno de Carvalho confirma nove rescisões|trans-title=Bruno de Carvalho confirms nine rescissions|url=https://desporto.sapo.pt/futebol/primeira-liga/artigos/bruno-de-carvalho-confirma-nove-rescisoes|language=pt|website=SAPO Desporto|access-date=15 June 2018|archive-date=15 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615214823/https://desporto.sapo.pt/futebol/primeira-liga/artigos/bruno-de-carvalho-confirma-nove-rescisoes|url-status=live}}</ref> Sporting would be later eligible for court-awarded compensation when the rescissions were declared illegal for those players who did not return to the club or were not sold by Sporting.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roseiro |first=Bruno |title=CAP dá razão a Rui Patrício e Podence nas rescisões, caso vai agora seguir na justiça |url=https://observador.pt/2018/07/20/cap-da-razao-a-rui-patricio-e-podence-nas-rescisoes-unilaterais-por-justa-causa/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=Observador |language=pt-PT |archive-date=15 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015191232/https://observador.pt/2018/07/20/cap-da-razao-a-rui-patricio-e-podence-nas-rescisoes-unilaterais-por-justa-causa/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Roseiro |first=Bruno |title=Tribunal Arbitral de Desporto decide a favor do Sporting: Rafael Leão tem de pagar 16,5 milhões pela rescisão |url=https://observador.pt/2020/03/18/tribunal-arbitral-de-desporto-decide-a-favor-do-sporting-rafael-leao-tem-de-pagar-165-milhoes-pela-rescisao/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=Observador |language=pt-PT |archive-date=15 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015191232/https://observador.pt/2020/03/18/tribunal-arbitral-de-desporto-decide-a-favor-do-sporting-rafael-leao-tem-de-pagar-165-milhoes-pela-rescisao/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:RubenAmorim21.jpg|thumb|[[Ruben Amorim]] during a training session in 2021, the year he led Sporting CP to its first [[2020–21 Primeira Liga|Primeira Liga title]] under his leadership as manager of the team<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-11 |title=Sporting campeão. O milagreiro Amorim, a visão de Varandas e a aposta certeira nos jovens |url=https://www.dn.pt/desporto/sporting-campeao-o-milagreiro-amorim-a-visao-de-varandas-e-a-aposta-certeira-nos-jovens-13709133.html |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=DN |language=pt-PT |archive-date=5 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231105124244/https://www.dn.pt/desporto/sporting-campeao-o-milagreiro-amorim-a-visao-de-varandas-e-a-aposta-certeira-nos-jovens-13709133.html |url-status=live }}</ref>]]
In the period before scheduled elections, a management committee, headed by former President [[Sousa Cintra]] as [[acting president]] of the sports club,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sousa Cintra no adeus: "Servirei o Sporting até à morte" |url=https://www.sabado.pt/desporto/detalhe/sousa-cintra-no-adeus-servirei-o-sporting-ate-a-morte |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=Sabado |language=pt-pt |archive-date=31 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031105735/https://www.sabado.pt/desporto/detalhe/sousa-cintra-no-adeus-servirei-o-sporting-ate-a-morte |url-status=live }}</ref> succeeded in returning some of the players who had left the club following the incident, namely Bruno Fernandes, Bas Dost and Rodrigo Battaglia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-07-03 |title=Sousa Cintra: Acredito que Bruno Fernandes e Podence regressem |url=https://www.dn.pt/desportos/sousa-cintra-acredito-que-bruno-fernandes-e-podence-regressem-9545971.html |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=DN |language=pt-PT |archive-date=31 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031105734/https://www.dn.pt/desportos/sousa-cintra-acredito-que-bruno-fernandes-e-podence-regressem-9545971.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-07-10 |title=Sousa Cintra: Bruno Fernandes não quis que o ordenado fosse aumentado |url=https://www.dn.pt/desportos/sousa-cintra-bruno-fernandes-nao-quis-que-o-ordenado-fosse-aumentado-9572290.html |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=DN |language=pt-PT |archive-date=31 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031105736/https://www.dn.pt/desportos/sousa-cintra-bruno-fernandes-nao-quis-que-o-ordenado-fosse-aumentado-9572290.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Frederico Varandas]] was elected president on 8 September 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roseiro |first=Bruno |date=2018-09-09 |title=Frederico Varandas, com 42,32% dos votos, é o novo presidente do Sporting - como aconteceu |url=https://observador.pt/liveblogs/eleicoes-do-sporting-leoes-escolhem-a-partir-das-9h-o-sucessor-de-bruno-de-carvalho-na-presidencia/ |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=Observador |language=pt-PT |archive-date=31 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031105734/https://observador.pt/liveblogs/eleicoes-do-sporting-leoes-escolhem-a-partir-das-9h-o-sucessor-de-bruno-de-carvalho-na-presidencia/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Having replaced [[Jorge Jesus]] at the beginning of the 2018–19 season, [[José Peseiro]] was sacked after a poor performance on the Primeira Liga.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roseiro |first=Bruno |title=José Peseiro despedido, Sporting procura novo treinador (que deve ser português) |url=https://observador.pt/2018/11/01/jose-peseiro-despedido-sporting-procura-novo-treinador-que-deve-ser-portugues/ |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=Observador |language=pt-PT |archive-date=31 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031105734/https://observador.pt/2018/11/01/jose-peseiro-despedido-sporting-procura-novo-treinador-que-deve-ser-portugues/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 2019, Sporting CP announced a loan negotiated with [[Apollo Global Management]], based on the [[securitization]] of [[NOS (Portuguese company)|NOS]]' television rights revenues.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-03-18 |title=Sporting fecha empréstimo de 75 milhões com Apollo |url=https://eco.sapo.pt/2019/03/18/sporting-fecha-emprestimo-de-75-milhoes-com-apollo/ |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=ECO |language=pt-PT}}</ref>

In March 2020, [[Ruben Amorim]] was appointed manager of Sporting CP for a managerial transfer worth €10 million (£8.65 million), becoming the [[Transfer (association football)#Managers|third-most expensive manager ever]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rúben Amorim no pódio das contratações mais caras do mundo entre treinadores: conheça a lista |url=https://www.record.pt/multimedia/fotogalerias/detalhe/ruben-amorim-entra-no-podio-dos-treinadores-mais-caros-do-mundo-conheca-a-lista |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=Record |language=pt-PT |archive-date=15 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015191232/https://www.record.pt/multimedia/fotogalerias/detalhe/ruben-amorim-entra-no-podio-dos-treinadores-mais-caros-do-mundo-conheca-a-lista |url-status=live }}</ref>