Rangers' Europa League opponents Porto have launched an extraordinary attack on former Ibrox defender Fabio Cardoso after his tackle crocked their star teenage talent Romario Baro.
The Portuguese defender spent just one season with the Ibrox club before returning to his homeland with Santa Clara and later complaining he felt "disrespected" in Scotland because most teams don't try to play football.
But he's facing huge criticism in his homeland after a controversial midweek Portuguese League Cup against Porto.
Cardoso's crunching tackle on 19-year-old highly-rated prospect Baro left the youngster facing tests for a suspected fractured ankle and later led to a tunnel punch-up involving Cardoso and several Porto players.
And Porto took the unusual step of condemning the tackle and calling for action on the former Benfica star, who cost £1.3 million and was signed by fellow Portuguese flop manager Pedro Caixinha.
Porto's Director of Communications Porto's Communication Director, Francisco Marqueson, stated: "The tackle by Fabio Cardoso was very serious.
"It was typical of the extreme aggressiveness displayed by Santa Clara throughout the game and they were fortunate they were aided by the benevolence of the referee."
However, Cardoso - who was only booked for the incident and later wished Baro a speedy recovery on social media - was defended by his manager Joao Henriques.
He said: "Fabio Cardoso is a warrior and a fantastic professional. He would never, under any circumstances, deliberately inflict injury. He is one of the best Portuguese central defenders of this new generation. He is our captain and we count on him."
Rangers face Porto in a Europa League double-header in October and November.
