Benfica to fine rebel Van Hooijdonk

Benfica will fine Pierre van Hooijdonk after the Dutch striker criticised the quality of Portuguese football and team-mate Joao Tomas, who has been keeping him out of the team.

As soon as van Hooijdonk returns from his Christmas break in Holland, the Benfica board will have urgent talks with him about the situation, it was reported in the Portuguese Record newspaper. A Benfica spokesman said that the player had admitted making the comments and will be fined.

The spokesman said: "He made serious comments about the way the club is run and undermined a fellow professional. It's the coach to whom he should be trying to prove that he's better than Joao Tomas."

Benfica director Paulo Olavo Cunha said: "The players are paid and well paid to show what they're capable of on the pitch and not in the newspapers."

Meanwhile, Galatasary's Brazilian striker Mario Jardel is reported to be applying for Portuguese citzenship in a bid to ease the way for his expected transfer to Benfica.