Manchester United have taken issue with Sepp
Blatter after the Fifa president claimed Cristiano Ronaldo should
be allowed to leave Old Trafford if he wants.
The Fifa president's remarks, in which he criticised a
trend towards "modern slavery. United are adamant that Ronaldo will
not be leaving, even though the Portugal winger continues to send
out mixed messages about his future.
Real Madrid have made no secret of their admiration for
Ronaldo, who is currently recovering from ankle surgery after
playing in Euro 2008. The last thing United need is Blatter
entering the debate.
A club spokesperson said: "All our players - like at
other clubs - enter into their contracts after an open and free
negotiation. "Most of whom do after taking advice from a
Fifa-registered agent. Many do so on a number of occasions and
enjoy long and successful stays at Old Trafford."
UEFA, meanwhile, have
attempted to take the heat out of the debate by focusing on the
increasing influence of player power in the wake of the Bosman
ruling, and slamming the spiralling wages paid to top stars.
Communications director William Gaillard, who also
serves as special advisor to Uefa president Michel Platini, gave a
different point of view and claimed salaries are "spiralling out of
control". "It would be useful to remind people that slaves in all
of the slavery systems never earned a wage," Gaillard said.
The Bosman ruling came into effect in 1995, allowing
players free transfers at the end of contracts, and those coming to
the conclusion of their deals have become prey for other clubs. "It
seems that both clubs and players are trying to negotiate an exit
before the player is free," said Gaillard. "It is a consequence of
the Bosman ruling - there is nothing we can do about that. "It is
obvious that today players have a lot more power than they did 20
years ago, undoubtedly, and agents have a lot more power than they
did 20 years ago."It is true that salaries are spiralling out of
control. Many clubs have pointed that out."
When Blatter was asked if he felt sympathy for
Ronaldo's current position, he said: "Absolutely, absolutely.
"Definitely as a footballer and the Fifa president, I'm very in
sympathy with the player Ronaldo. "I think in football there's too
much modern slavery in transferring players or buying players here
and there, and putting them somewhere. "I'm always in favour of
protecting the player and if the player, he wants to leave, let him
leave.
"The important thing is, we should also protect the
player. "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." Blatter also believes the issue raises
interesting questions about the way transfers and contracts are
dealt with in the game.
He said: "We are trying now to intervene in such cases.
The reaction to the Bosman law is to make long-lasting contracts in
order to keep the players and then if he wants to leave, then there
is only one solution, he has to pay his contract."
Blatter has his say on...
Women's football: "Let the women play
in more feminine clothes like they do in volleyball. They could,
for example, have tighter shorts. Female players are pretty, if you
excuse me for saying so, and they already have some different rules
to men - such as playing with a lighter ball. That decision was
taken to create a more female aesthetic, so why not do it in
fashion?"
Match venues: In 2007 Blatter decided
no game should be played 2,500 metres (8,200 feet) above sea level
which was later changed to 3,000m. Blatter argues that matches at
extreme altitudes are dangerous for players' health although no
comprehensive medical studies have proven this.
Refereeing: Valentin Ivanov came under
criticism for his performance during a 2006 World Cup clash between
Portugal and Holland for issuing a record 16 yellow cards and four
red cards.
"It could have been a yellow card for the referee too.
He was not performing at the same level as the players were. It was
a match full of emotion, dramatic in the final minutes, but with a
rightful winner. It was a great spectacle, but the refereeing did
nothing else but ruin the whole thing."
Martin Taylor's tackle on Arsenal striker
Eduardo: "It is shocking when you see how this player was
attacked. It is not football. Football is a contact game, but it is
a game with rules. You have to have respect – and what we witnessed
there has nothing to do with football. This is to destroy another
player, and that is not the aim of our game."
