Manchester United Football Club News

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UEFA look into Ronaldo claims

22 Mar 2007 - 16:27:20

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UEFA has launched an investigation after goalkeeper Stijn Stijnen claimed Belgium intended to deliberately injure Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo in Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier with Portugal.

FC Bruges keeper Stijnen has angered the Portuguese authorities by claiming the in-form wideman would be "attacked" in the early stages of the match.

He said: "After two minutes we will have to attack Ronaldo so much that he will have to leave the pitch."

Stijnen has since denied making the comments, but the Portuguese FA have already made an official complaint and UEFA has launched an investigation into the matter.

"We have received a complaint from the Portuguese FA and we will start an investigation into the matter," confirmed a UEFA spokesman.

"We will be contacting the Belgian FA in due course, but the investigation will not be completed by the time of the match on Saturday."