Clubs duel as Ronaldo saga drags

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-11  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

REAL Madrid president Ramon Calderon has defended his club's repeated attempts to lure Cristiano Ronaldo, while doubting the Portugal winger will leave Manchester United.

United lodged an official complaint with soccer's governing body FIFA on Monday over Madrid's behavior. The world soccer's governing body confirmed it had received a formal complaint over Real's reported interest in signing the Portugal forward.

"They don't have any evidence because nothing has happened," Calderon said.

"We have done nothing irregular," Calderon said of Madrid's tactics. "We have neither interfered nor are we going to do so."

"All there is what the papers say and rumors that the player seems to want to leave. But at the moment a move is impossible because United don't want to sell him.

"It's United's right (to complain) but we haven't done anything and we are not going to do anything. It's a matter between the player and his club."

Calderon judged it "an impossible operation" to sign Ronaldo to the Spanish champion.

Ronaldo is currently playing for Portugal in the European Championship.

Calderon added that it was Ronaldo who said he might want to leave United. "The player seems to have the intention of not wanting to continue with Manchester United," Calderon told journalists.

Madrid is reportedly willing to pay a world-record transfer fee for Ronaldo, who last season helped United win the Premier League and Champions League.

Ronaldo scored 42 goals for United last season and was voted the league's player of the year.

Calderon criticized United coach Alex Ferguson for recent comments aimed at Madrid.

"To talk about the Franco era ... wasn't very fortunate in his choice of words," Calderon said.

United management hopes to silence its Spanish rival with the official request, but fears the issue won't be resolved until September 1 when the European transfer period closes.

It is believed that neither Ronaldo nor his advisers were made aware of the complaint.

Ferguson has said US tycoon and United owner Malcolm Glazer isn't prepared to sell Ronaldo to a European rival.

"I've had a couple of meetings with the Glazers," Ferguson said last month.

"Their attitude is, 'To hell with them.'

"They'd sit a player in the stand, I'm telling you, absolutely no doubt about it, just to prove a point. Not to give in to these people."

Madrid meanwhile has no intention of selling Brazil striker Robinho to raise cash, Calderon added, and said there was no interest in signing FC Barcelona players Samuel Eto'o or Ronaldinho.

Also, Calderon said Bernd Schuster would remain as coach next season.

Calderon meanwhile said Madrid increased its income 25 percent to 360 million euros (US$568 million) and its net profit was 40 million euros, with overall debt at 212 million euros.