30 May 2007, by Tom Kundert

Sporting stunned by Tello “betrayal”

Chilean defender to sign for Besiktas

Rodrigo Tello is undergoing medical tests today before signing for Turkish club, Besiktas.

The news comes as a shock to Sporting board members, who were left high and dry by the left-back yesterday when Tello failed to turn up to a scheduled meeting to sign a new contract.

Sporting spokesman Salema Garcao said that he was saddened by the behaviour of Tello, and the whole of the club feel they have been betrayed by the player.

“We were expecting Rodrigo Tello at our offices yesterday to sign what had been verbally agreed, but this didn’t happen,” said Garcao.

“We feel betrayed and are extremely saddened if the news that Tello is in Turkey taking a medical turns out to be true. If this news proves correct we shall be taking legal action.”

However, there seems little doubt that Tello has made up his mind, with Besiktas communication director, Semih Usta, saying: “The player hasn’t signed yet because we are doing the medical. We have been monitoring the player for around a year and a half. Besiktas wants to do well in the Champions League next year and he’s a player we wanted.”

Rodrigo Tello arrived at Sporting at the start of 2001 amid much pomp and circumstance as the new golden boy of Chilean football.

After struggling to hold down a starting place in his first years at the Lisbon club, the left-back exploded to his best form this season, playing 33 matches and scoring 3 goals including a memorable winner against Porto at the Estadio do Dragao.