Blatter tells United: 'Let Ronaldo leave'
Thursday, 10 Jul 2008 09:53
Sepp Blatter says Man United should let Cristiano Ronaldo leave if he wants to
Fifa president Sepp Blatter has called on
Manchester United to allow Cristiano Ronaldo to leave for Real Madrid if that is what the player wants.
Blatter also referred to the current transfer system as "modern slavery" and said the rights of players to play where they like should be the world governing body's top priority.
"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 told Sky Sports News.
"I'm always in favour of protecting the player and if the player… wants to leave, let him leave."
Blatter voiced his continuing support for the Bosman ruling, which set a precedent allowing players to move for free once their contract at a club expired - a ruling that enabled Mathieu Flamini to leave
Arsenal for AC Milan this summer.
And Blatter hinted he would like to extend the ability of players to break their contracts at clubs if they decide they would like to move.
"I think in football there's too much modern slavery in transferring players or buying players here and there, and putting them somewhere," he continued.
"We are trying now to intervene in such cases.
"The reaction to the Bosman law is to make long-lasting contacts 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."