Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has continued his
tit-for-tat battle with Sir Alex Ferguson by accusing the
Manchester United manager of being jealous of Real’s nine European
Cups.
Relations between the pair deteriorated rapidly over Real’s
summer-long pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo and, even though United
eventually succeeded in their Portuguese tug of war, the
recriminations continue.
Ferguson accused Calderon recently of arrogance and in the past
the Scot has cited Real’s historic ties with the late Spanish
dictator Franco as evidence of the club's lack of
scruples.
Calderon, who has yet to decide whether or not he will stand for
re-election as Real’s president in two years’ time, claims Ferguson
is envious of Real’s record as Europe’s most successful club, with
United’s three European Cups dwarfed by the Spaniards’ achievements
on the continent.
“I didn’t tell anyone that I was signing Cristiano Ronaldo,”
Calderon told Spanish television station Intereconomia Television.
“He said that he wanted to come – I didn’t say it – but he had a
commitment that obliged him to stay where he is.
“Ferguson does not have much affection for us and is a little
envious for not having won as many European Cups.
“He does not know what he is talking about. He does not know
that when Franco was alive we went 17 years without a league win.
We were the team of the establishment because we didn’t have a
single thing to eat!”