Queiroz takes swipe at Real
28 May 2008 - 15:35:04
Manchester United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz has launched an astonishing verbal attack on Real Madrid over their public pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The angry Portuguese coach has accused the La Liga club of attempting to "natutalise" the in-form winger in the manner of Spain's claims over the border town of Olivenca and also the dispute over the nationality of explorer Christopher Columbus.
Queiroz's outburst comes just one day after United threatened to report Real to FIFA over their attempts to unsettle the 42-goal star with numerous public comments.
"Cristiano Ronaldo will never be Spanish as they will never take Olivenca again," Queiroz told Portuguese newspaper Jornal do Noticias.
"They already did the same with Christopher Columbus and it now seems they want to naturalise Cristiano Ronaldo..
"Have they already forgotten what we did to them in the past? We will never lose our patience."
Queiroz has also hit out at the unsettling nature of the pursuit on the Portugal national team ahead of the European Championship.
"It's being done in a manner to distract the Portugal team, at the height of their preparations for the European Championships," he continued.
"But I am convinced that despite pressure from the Spanish sporting press he will not accept to change his nationality.
"However, it is an attack with a well-defined strategy and Portugal should be worried about that."
