Blatter blasts United over Ron
10 Jul 2008 - 07:40:47
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has launched a stunning attack on Manchester United after accusing them of 'modern slavery' over their decision to deny Cristiano Ronaldo a move to Real Madrid.
The outspoken head of the game's governing body has condemned the Old Trafford club's handling of the high-profile transfer saga that has dragged on for two months.
United have hit out at Real Madrid for their public pursuit of Ronaldo and even reported their Spanish rivals to FIFA for making continued statements which they believed unsettled the Portugal international.
But Blatter appears to have little sympathy for United or any other club attempting to keep hold of an unhappy player who remains on a long-term contract.
Instead he believes Ronaldo should be allowed to join Madrid, who are believed to be willing to pay a world record £75million for the 23-year-old winger.
"The important thing is, we should also protect the player," he claimed.
"If the player wants to play somewhere else, then a solution should be found because if he stays in a club where he does not feel comfortable to play then it's not good for the player and for the club.
"I'm always in favour of protecting the player and, if the player wants to leave, let him leave.
"I think in football there's too much modern slavery in transferring players or buying players here and there and putting them somewhere.
"We are trying now to intervene in such cases. The reaction to the Bosman law is to make long-lasting contacts in order to keep the players and then if he wants to leave, then there is only one solution, he has to pay (off) his contract."