Real play down Ronaldo row
28 May 2008 - 08:46:26
Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has played down the spat between his club and Manchester United over the future of Portugal international Cristiano Ronaldo.
United had threatened to report Real to FIFA after growing irritated at the Spanish side's public pronouncements concerning a player who scored 42 goals in the campaign just ended.
However, Calderon told Real's official website: "We haven't done, nor will we do anything against the wishes of a club that we consider a friend like Manchester United.
"Our relationship with Manchester is magnificent and we will not do anything that would violate the will of a team, just as we would not like that done to us.
"We know Manchester doesn't want to sell and we have nothing to say. It's a problem between the player and his team."
On Tuesday evening, United issued a statement that read: "We have watched with growing irritation the comments attributed to Real Madrid over their alleged desire to sign Cristiano Ronaldo.
"The facts are: The player is on a long-term contract and his registration is held by Manchester United. The player is not for sale.
"The club will have no alternative but to report Real Madrid to the world governing body, FIFA, if it continues to behave in this totally unacceptable fashion.
"These public attempts to unsettle the player are completely against the regulations and the club will not tolerate them any longer.
"In addition, the club is certain that they are a distraction for the Portuguese national squad as they prepare for the European Championships.
"No-one should be in any doubt that Manchester United will do everything in its power to keep its best players."
