Jul 10
Sepptic Blabbermouth Opens Gob + Roundup
Not very long ago I mentioned something about the UEFA president losing his mind. Yesterday it was the turn of the FIFA president; true to type, he didn’t disappoint.
This is what the great man had to say, read on:
“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. I’m always in favour of protecting the player and if the player, he wants to leave, let him leave. I think in football there’s too much modern slavery in transferring players or buying players here and there, and putting them somewhere.”
Mr. Blatter, it may seem now, has no idea of what he’s talking about or what he’s wishing for. Whilst comparing modern footballers to slaves is laughable there is something fundamentally wrong with the FIFA president’s statement that is worrying for the game at large, if he really meant what he said. Foremost among them is the fact that the president is not aware of the direction football is moving.
The Bosman Ruling and the Webster clauses have ensured that if there was any person benefiting, it was the footballer. If someone paid £120,000 a week to a slave then I wonder why anyone even banned slavery, in the first place. Most people would cut themselves in a million places to get that sort of wages. More importantly, sane people would like to believe that footballers ought to be rather happy with the wages they get in comparison to regular folk.
Dear Mr. Sepp, if you aren’t worried about agent and player power then you might want to get in touch with another of your minions, Mr. Platini, who wants to setup an egalitarian (rather utopian) European league system. If he wants equality giving more power to the player would make promising kids from smaller clubs move to the big ones at will with a few pennies thrown about as ‘compensation’ to the parent club. Players would be one phone call away from being poached. Contracts? What contracts?
Forget about the dream, where everyone competes on an even keel in Europe, entirely — although, even now, that dream is unlikely to be realised.
So Mr. Blatter, shut that trap of yours, and as Paul Doyle of the Guardian suggests, be careful for what you wish for.
* * *
Meanwhile, PFA deputy rubbishes Blatter’s comments. Paul Parker also chimes in, calling those statements ‘daft’.
Ahmed on Soccerlens has written a long, but very good, review on the 2007/08 season. We did that in RR over a month ago which you can find here: [Part I | Part II | Part III] But anyway do read Ahmed’s review too, was comprehensive and done in one post as against my three — which could be rather bothersome to navigate.
In other news, according to the Daily Mail, we seem to have signed the Brazilian twins. I am not sure how true this is because I have reported this very same bit of news three times before. I don’t see anything on the main site, though.
It appears as if someone pops into Guillem Balague’s website and take a dump — cue: this transfer rumours page.
And that’s that from me. Cheerio… and happy Blatter bashing.
Related items from Red Rants:- Ronaldo’s Not Worth United’s Principled Stance
- Madrid Win Title | Rossi Expects Chance
- On Sepptic Bladder’s 6-5 Plan
- Giggs and Brown to Remain Reds | Ex-Reds Clash | Wenger Threat | Takeovers And Other Such Nonsense
- The Red Hot Roundup: Scholes, Eggy, FIFA, Evra
Tags: Daily Roundup
July 10th, 2008 at 17:26
WTF is wrong with Blatter!? Doesn’t he have anything better than to lick Real ass?
How can this absolute twat be qualified to lead the administration of world football?
July 10th, 2008 at 17:30
I believe that Blatter and Platini’s remarks are part of a concerted campaign to undermine English
clubs that are seen as becoming too powerful.
July 10th, 2008 at 17:54
Just seen what I believe to be Ronaldo quotes on Sky, I can’t believe this bullshit.
Can someone please draw up whats really been said and its authenticity!!
Am I reading into this too much is there an angle that no-one has spotted-concerning CR7 forcing his way out of Old Trafford.
Please someone address whats going on here.
Sorry RR I didn’t see this post!
July 10th, 2008 at 18:16
Okay after that paranoia Ronaldo has been talking! He was interviewed by TV1 a portuguese radio station.
the GOOD- Cristiano has spoken! Are favourite mute can still conversate, also he confirmed he has NEVER spoken to Real and laughed off reports that he agreed terms with MADRID.
the BAD- This is bad! He believes he could be out for 12 weeks. Oh and what may piss you off is he has thrown his weight behind BLATTER and agrees with the ’slavery comment’.
_This follows my previous comment. I truely can’t believe Cristiano although these reports/comments can be misinterpretated for his sake and sanity I hope he retracts the Blatter comments!!
July 10th, 2008 at 18:27
What Blatter said *is* daft. What would the world of football come to if players were allowed to leave at a time suited for them? Especially after signing a 5 year about a year ago. To have the audacity to compare it to slavery…pfft.
July 10th, 2008 at 18:30
why was anyone shocked when we know he hates brittish football, he supports and is a real madrid member people should not be suprised with those comments, what does anger me is the slavery part, yes bladder 120k he is on that is a real sllave, if every african was on that salery they would be begging to be slaves for the rest of their lives.
but like I said bladder is a member of madrid supports real madrid so dont take him serious on that point.
July 10th, 2008 at 19:06
It is vital and absolutely necessary that the head of both UEFA and especially FIFA be held accountable for everything they say and do. They must always show 100% credibility and impartiality in their dealings and views. Openly taking sides especially when there is not a legal recourse is a violation of their mandate and thus, they should be sacked for breaching that trust and that code of ethics. Bladder is a disgrace to the office he holds and further more, he is a corrupt individual who wants to implement a system that can do irreparable harm to many leagues and teams in the world. Something needs to be done. Is there any way to get the majority of FIFA members to band together and issue a vote of non-confidence? The majority of teams in the world and all teams it seems in the UK will suffer at his hands if he has time and power to complete his agenda and evil mission. He must be stopped.
July 10th, 2008 at 19:15
one word sums this man up “twat”
July 10th, 2008 at 19:39
I would say we should not allow Ronaldo leave if he is involved in this attack against United….let him complete out his contract and go out on Bosman….it is sometimes not all about money…
If he is a man of principles of any extent or even thankful to United or its supporters, he should come out now and tell that he is not a slave here and it is just that he has still not made up his mind…The a**hole should speak up now for god’s sake…
He has thrown United and its supporters into a horror summer instead of which we really should have been celebrating our success..For not talking definitively until now he has pulled the club into these ugly scenes and which would make an average football fan to believe that United is an arrogant club who go against the player’s wishes….while truth might be something else…
I think United should just walk away from any transfer talks involving Ronaldo this summer for the sake of English football…
Blatter should be moved miles away from FIFA just for his open stinking mouth…He clearly showed that he will try everything to move the “would be” FIFA World Player of the year to Spain and let him crown the title as La liga player….
What do these ppl have against EPL ? Platini or Blatter?
July 10th, 2008 at 19:42
We all know he’s dead to me. How many of you are there still sitting on the fence or still supporting him after his latest comments? He agrees with Blatter for crying out loud. He agrees that United and especially Fergie has treated him like a slave instead of the nurturing father figure and supportive coach that he has been. He’s bitten off the hand that feeds him and called that individual a slave trader. How much more can all you Man Utd fans take? When and if he returns to play for us, I urge and I plead with all of you who are privileged enough to go to the games at OT to boo the panties off of him, curse him and berate him for what he has said and done. Although I do not condone violence of any kind, I’d be tempted to throw things at him because to be frank, he deserves it.
Fergie, this has to be the last straw. Boss, do yourself, the club and the millions of loyal supporters a big favor, and rid us of this Judas before he spreads his cancer to susceptible candidates like Nani, Anderson, Tevez and other players who entertain delusions of grandeur and playing in the limelight of Spain. Take the money and Ramos and give the prick a swift and brutal kick out the door. Honestly, he deserves far worse.
Where is Roy Keane when we need him most? I’d like to see Ronaldo return to training camp and have to face the likes of Keane. Fergie has exploded and turfed great players for far less than what this piss ant has done in the last month. If you had such a quick fuse for loyal and devoted servants like Becks, RVN, Ince, Keane, Stam and others, then how can you sit back and tolerate this gross betrayal and insubordination from a lad you defended and literally brought up. If you do so, you will lose a lot of respect from myself and many who look up to you as the Boss and leader. You have never been one to play favorites but kicking a boot at Beckham and disagreeing over his choice of women and lifestyle frankly was none of your business because it never affected the lad’s work. Selling RVN for having a spat with one Ronaldo during a training session over the fact that he was being selfish and hogging the ball seems unreasonable now. To bench him and force him to turn on the team due to you shaming him because of this altercation was also unfair. Selling the heart and soul of the team and our captain because he had the balls and conviction to criticize the lot after they played with no passion and heart was also going to far. Perhaps Keane was wrong to do this publicly but all he was doing was showing his disappointment and concern as a wounded captain should. Selling him off was a stab in his back after the years of commitment and service. Selling one of the greatest defenders this team has ever had because of a few comments of revolt in his book was also overreacting. Lets face it, Stam was too good to sell and a few words was no reason to sell him off. At least have a talk with the man before you ship him off. And the list goes on of loyal players who made a mistake and were quickly and efficiently sold off like rotting slabs of meat. I wasn’t happy about it but I justified it as Fergie knows best. And when it’s all said and done, he may have been right to do so. And if that’s the case, then why why why is he allowing Ronaldo to disrespect him and his team so blatantly without the expected reaction? What Ronaldo has done far exceeds what all those other players did to bring upon them Fergie’s wrath combined.
It’s clear to me that the Gaffer needs to finally wake up from his self imposed slumber and realize that Ronaldo not only has burned all his bridges, but he’s standing outside of Old Trafford on a breezy day taking a long hard and well directed piss on OT, at the team, Fergie, the team’s history and loyal supporters. This cannot and will not be tolerated. I’m calling for revolt folks. If our leader wants to play Neville Chamberlain, then it’s time we all acted like Winston Bloody Churchill and declare war on Ronaldo and others like him. Sell him and be rid of the malodorous rump. And good riddance to bad rubbish I would say.
July 10th, 2008 at 19:57
Just read Ronaldo’s comments. He needs to leave. Yesterday. I’m losing respect for Fergie by the minute. Ruud has a little strop at not playing in a final that he deserved to play in: gone. Stam says a few things he doesn’t like: gone. Beckham, well okay.
Now precious little Cronaldo is throwing his big head around and Fergie is bending over backwards. Let. Him. Leave. Now. I know he’s your little prodigy, and you’re so proud, but suck it up and do what is best for all of us, and for the club. He is, like Grognard says, a cancer spreading through the footballing world. Cut it out and lets hope we recover. Let him weave his magic at Real.
July 10th, 2008 at 20:04
@Beachryan: Well said. On the chance you didn’t read my long post just above yours, do so. I really let Fergie have it over matters like RVN, Beckham and others.
July 10th, 2008 at 20:06
loan his ass to roy kean!
July 10th, 2008 at 20:35
@gator: Sweet!
July 10th, 2008 at 20:37
this is hilarious
http://www.goal.com/en-india/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=769733
July 10th, 2008 at 20:41
July 10th, 2008 at 21:12
Remember when the bastard twat got involved in Ferdinand case afew years ago and used his influencr to have him suspended for 9 months while players with similar cases were left with a slap on wrist. There you have it. The twat hates United because he is a ShitRM member and he doesn’t like United to be the success that they are, on the field and in the eyes of millions. Please go to UEFA site and mail the twat what you think of him. Please bombard the twat.
July 10th, 2008 at 21:15
meant to say the FIFA site. Please do it.
July 10th, 2008 at 21:24
Go to the bottom of Fifa we page and click contact Fifa. It will make a difference.
July 10th, 2008 at 21:32
This is my take on United’s overall transfer/Ronaldo situation:
For one, I tend not to get to worked up over comments made by a player in the press. Often, these players aren’t the cleverest, and many (including Ronaldo) are huge fans of themselves. I like to wait and see actual activity occurring, like negotiations for a transfer or a lack of effort on the pitch. If I got angry/disappointed with every comment a player has made I would unable to think clearly.
Ahmed’s season review was a true joy to read. I especially enjoyed the sections on team character and Ronaldo. I agree with Ahmed’s stance on #7, for now he is still a United player and an integral part of the squad. I will appreciate his talents as long as he continues to give effort. Until his presence at United becomes a problem for results on the pitch and/or team chemistry, I have no issue with him being in the squad. In fact, I say it is quite likely he will be with us next year.
In my opinion, I feel the reason Fergie has been so quiet about Ronaldo and on the transfer front is that he feels he has done enough. Last year was when he laid the foundation for the next few years by signing Ronaldo and acquiring those 4 players. Fergie’s #1 objective was to win the European Cup once more, and he has done that. It’s doubtful that he fully expected to win it last year; I’m guessing Fergie figured he would win it once in his last three years (assuming he retires in 2010). His goals were to win Europe and surpass Liverpool in English titles won. Now that he was won the Champions League this early, things have changed. When he signed Ronaldo to that 5-year deal, I believe many at the club believed that would hold the player here for 3 more years tops (to coincide with Fergie retiring). The gaffer would move on, and so would Ronaldo; that to me was the likely scenario in the eyes of Fergie and Gill. Ronaldo’s rise to prominence has put a dent in those plans. Now he has accomplished what he wanted with United and wants to move on as soon as he can (realistically that would be next summer). Fergie is now at a unwanted crossroads; this team was to be his last. He rebuilt this team around Rooney, Ronaldo, the large midfield, and the solid back four. Fergie does not want to rebuild again, and I don’t blame him. I just don’t see the great man going through another team transition by losing Ronaldo. Let’s face it, losing #7 would have a massive impact and would indeed cause an entire team restructuring (replacing his goal output alone is going to be a chore).
So now what of the future? In years past Ferguson would have taken a tougher stance on Ronaldo and perhaps sold him already. When a player crossed the gaffer (in even the smallest of ways) the player would be gone. Ronaldo has already done more to upset the manager than RVN, Beckham, and Heinze did. Clearly Fergie wants to ride this out and hope that things blow over and he can keep his “last” squad together. This is why I feel there has been no movement on the transfer market; Fergie bought what he needed last summer. Any changes now would be a minor tinkering here and there (and perhaps a striker). I do feel we will eventually sign a forward and that will be it.
In conclusion, I feel that starting last summer, Fergie knew he had 3 years left. He wanted to build one last squad to win 2-3 Premiership titles and the Champions League at least once. He hoped that success would keep his squad hungry and focused. However, success has instead created problems. Yes, I feel that even champions should not stay pat, but last summer’s transfer haul was so stunning that it was almost 2 years worth (remember Nani and Anderson were not expected to contribute as much as they did). To me, last year we signed Tevez and Hargreaves for last season and Anderson and Nani for this season. Success has brought more expectations, and I just don’t feel Fergie has the desire to make any more changes. I do feel that money is somewhat of an issue, but not as much as some believe. Fergie had a three-year plan, and year 1 was extremely successful, maybe too much so. Now we are faced with the uncertainties of trying to keep this wonderful squad intact. Be careful what you wish for!
Let me know what you guys think…(and sorry I write so much, I’ll get better at writing less!)
July 10th, 2008 at 21:40
red ranter,
why don’t links appear when i post them?
July 10th, 2008 at 22:27
If Ronaldo has agreed his situation represents slavery then for me that is the final straw. The selfish s.o.b needs to go. Without United he’d be another youngester with potential gone to waste. He should understand his debt to United and respectfully see out his contract or voice his desire to leave to the manager in private and let Ferguson decide when to sell.
I think part of the problem is that Real Madrid still believe there is a situation so are not offering enough. I think if Real Madrid made an offer of 80 million we’d accept. The problem is they seem to be thinking around the 50 million mark.
I believe Ferguson sees selling Ronaldo at well below United’s valuation as a far worse defeat than keeping a player who is mutinous. That could well be a dangerous point of view if Ronaldo infects the rest of the team with his selfish attitude that he is bigger than the club.
United should swallow their pride, open negotiations with Real Madrid and continue them until we get as close to our valuation as possible.
I have no problem with having a few foreign mercenaries. Where I think we went wrong was building our team around one. Of course we were forced to because Ronaldo became a lot better than anyone could have expected.
July 10th, 2008 at 22:30
@Primachenko: That was because sometimes when you post links the system thinks it’s spam and send it to the spam folder. I recovered it now. So it’s back up.
July 10th, 2008 at 22:52
I am grateful for the 5 seasons Cristiano Ronaldo has spent at United he has learnt an lot from the the coaching staff but as an individual he has excelled. He has just finished a marvel season breaking ever record and helped his side win an historic double. Thanks- ENOUGH OF THAT!
Sometimes I’m I feel huge embaressment having to defend this players attitude and ego, but if he doesn’t retract these statements I will truely loose all my faith in him(yes, many already have but I’m not conviced he’s Saddamned just yet).
Infact if he doesn’t speak of his true intentions towards Manchester United within the next fortnight I will release a petition for the sale of this player.
Its gone too far: I had recorded the champions league final on my SkyPLUS and was going to re-watch the weekend before the EPL season started thinking this summer would be full of celebration. Infact this shit started the day after, whilst Mr Gill hadn’t even got onto the team coach before the media was stuffing this crap down his neck this hasn’t stopped since.
I am beginning to reach the point where I personally would empty my piggybank and pay out his contract. The truth is just as a ‘Fuck You to Calderons posse’ I would open negotiations with Barcelona if I had a place on the Manchester Utd board and sell for half price.
I wish not to be seen as anti CR7 I believe he has been mislead by his entourage of imbosiles and I(my lone-self) believe he can play for us next season.
The guidelines of this being:
He excepts a fine- How have Utd not sanctioned him, lets get the management off the beach and back in the office!
He apoligises direct to the supporters in a press conference. This is realistic to a player who harps on about his prefound love of ‘the fans’.
And finally he plays under his current and far from ‘enslaved’ contract without a whisper of discontent and plays with the pride of the legends past before him, legends he has spoke of in such high regard. Some honour please Cristiano, grow up!!
July 10th, 2008 at 22:54
http://www.thespoiler.co.uk/index.php/2008/07/10/sergio-ramos-tries-to-make-ronaldo-look-foolish
hahahahahahah
July 10th, 2008 at 23:10
@Beachryan: I’m in no way defending him, but maybe Fergie hasn’t reacted to his slave trade comments because they’re not true? For someone who just had a surgery, i doubt transfers are on his mind right now. I was reading on goal.com about the slave issue and it said they’d broadcast the interview where Ronaldo made those slave comments, well so far no interview.
July 10th, 2008 at 23:14
Bye bye Ronaldo - this is the first time I’ve turned on him. Sergio Ramos, Robinho and £20m please (though I’d be happy with just a player swap). Buy Berbatov. We’ll come back stronger.
July 10th, 2008 at 23:18
…Sell this shit to Barca for smaller price and try to bring messi in… just to destroy the summer of those assholes from Real…becouse they destroy ours….EPL and CL champoins and all we do is frustrating ourselves in this huge media campaign against our club…fucking unbelivible…
July 10th, 2008 at 23:47
for goodness sake ppl dont even think bringing in messi will solve the problem if ronaldo left, messi would be a massive mistake he is just like saha mr glass and plus there is no way messi would want to leave or would barca sell him so wake up ppl and stop being so bitter towards ronaldo, because ronaldo is miles better then messi in every level at the moment. messi is still to prove he is up there with the best and sergie aguero I would think would be a better option then messi.
July 10th, 2008 at 23:58
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll276/TopRedCafe/Slaveryaldo.gif
July 11th, 2008 at 0:07
It seems to me me that United are stuck between a rock and a hard place if these Ronaldo comments are true. Judging by some of the “get him out” comments on this blog tonight, Ronaldos comments have worked a treat and have went a long way in alienating him from the fans and this my friends could have been his objective in making them.
To the best of my knowledge if the club decides to sell him before he asks for a transfer then United must pay up either a sizeable portion or his entire contract in full because it was them that decided to break it, which is why Ronaldo is not categorically saying he wants out.
The boy is a fantastic player and a vital part of our machine and from a football perspective I can understand SAFs hardline stance, but the thought of him staying next season after the way he has disrespected and treated everybody connected with United like something he trod on in the street definately does not not sit well with me, its almost unbelievable the lack of dignity and respect he has shown United, what sort of a person is he.
Ronaldo leaving United was never going to be easy and we all knew someday it would happen, but theres a right way and a wrong way of conducting yourself in these situations, Ronaldo has chosen the wrong way at every step and it is disgusting to watch both him and Madrid trying to engineer this move and now Blatter is putting the boot in too and Ronaldo surprise surprise agrees with him.
My friends, new depths are being plummed here and every right thinking United fan must agree that Ronaldo isnt worthy to wear the red shirt any longer, no matter how good he is and its as plain as the nose on your face, its just up to us to wake up and realise it and stop giving him the benefit of the doubt all the time.
This is the rock, now let me speak about the hard place.
In all of Madrids past big name transfers when the selling club did not want to loose the player, the players themselves asked for a transfer, therefore foregoing any loyalty payments to be paid by the selling club, but judging by the comments that Ronaldo has made like United should let him go as a reward because of the success they have had in the last two years. it appears that he wants United to make the first move so that he can pocket the remainder of his contract and still get his move, now this is the hieght of arrogance and disrespect and United ARE RIGHT to stand up to these disgusting and vile attempts by Blatter, Madrid and Ronaldo to engineer a move and nothing would give me more saisfaction in footballing terms than to see both Madrid and Ronaldo fail to get thier way coz I dont think in the 25 years that I have been watching football have I seen 2 parties operate as dastardly as these to have so we all must get behind United and support them no matter what course they take in this saga coz both options have pros and cons, my only demand on united is this, if they decide to sell him, they must get every last penny possible and nothing less than 70 million would satisfy me.
July 11th, 2008 at 0:58
My My look how the worm has turned? For the longest time I was amongst a few voices on this blog that considered Ronaldo a parasite and that we needed to get rid of him immediately. Many of you disagreed with me and some even went as far as to call my position idiotic. Well from where I am sitting tonight I am just having a total laugh reading all the posts calling for Ronaldo’s scalp and demanding he get shipped off yesterday. Well, welcome to the club, what took you?
Now can you imagine with the backlash towards Ronny on this blog what it must be like in the dozens and dozens of United and football sites everywhere? I think one could put together a large lynching party of a about…………5 or 10 million United supporters worldwide who have suddenly had a dramatic change of heart regarding our young lad from Madeira. Trust me, all this backlash and negative feedback will make it’s way to the offices at Old Trafford. When a few dozen speak, nobody listens. But when thousands and even millions around the globe start voicing their disgust, this will finally force United’s hand. Trust me, the actions of the past 24 hours will guarantee that we have all seen the last of Cristiano Ronaldo wearing the kit of Manchester United. There is no recovery and saving face from this public relations disaster. If Fergie and United let this slide, they will have absolutely no credibility left in our esteemed community. Fergie, do the right thing and feed the cunt to the wolves.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:52
@Grognard: Mate I have to disagree on that. There were plenty of dissenting voices on Ronaldo — it was 60-40 against Ronaldo. Now it’s maybe 90% against him that’s all.
But despite what we think of that Portugeezer, I think he’ll stay at United this season.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:56
wow ronaldo gtfo already
July 11th, 2008 at 2:24
@Red Ranter: I guess it really comes down to measuring the the anti Ronaldo sentiment. Perhaps it 60-40 against Ronaldo but it was more like 10-90 against that were bloody fuming with steam coming out their ears. I thought there was a lot of mild resentment as well those who said they were mad at him but would forgive him if he told Real to take a hike. I say to that hard core 10% who really let him have it, way to go boys. Take a bow! You would be included in that group RR so give yourself a pat on the back. You earned it. We have to take some kind of pleasure from this sad and disgusting soap opera as we watch the Double winners and their supporters endure the off season from Hell.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:55
@Grognard: To be honest it pains me that I’ve been proved right about Ronaldo. It’s a sad day for me that a player that’s given so much to us turns out to be an absolute twat. Even as I am watching the season review DVD presently, the ambivalence is killing me.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:58
@Grognard: Red Ranter is right, there have been many people on this blog that have criticized Ronaldo and I know that you were one of them but I honestly think that deep down even his supporters must have harboured doubts about him, today there can be no doubts coz the only football person that I have heard or read concerning what Blatter said today that actually agrees with him is Ronaldo himself so it proves once and for all were his head is at.
For a few days there , judging by some of the comments coming out of Madrid and Old Trafford it appeared that United had maybe made some contact with him and had maybe recieved some sort of confirmation about his presence next season, but todays comments have scuppered that idea and I hope SAF now realises that this guy is playing games with him and seems to be prepared to go to any lengths to get his way.
I would even go as far as to say that both Blatters and Ronaldos statements could have been orchestrated to make his position at United untenable, I have no evidence to support this but it does seem strange that Calderon alluded to slavery whenever this whole thing erupted, coincidence? you decide.
Now I know that you cant trust the Spanish Press whenever it comes to these matters, but some of them were reporting a few weeks ago that Ronaldos agent had devised an exit strategy designed to anger United into selling Ronaldo, are we seeing this strategy in action, coz how does Blatter know that Ronaldo wants to leave United, have you heard him say clearly that he wants to leave.
The more this episode pans out, the more dastardly it becomes and if Ronaldo has been a willing participant then quite frankly the sooner he goes the better, coz I cant think of one situation in my 25 years of supporting United that one person has acted more shamefully than Ronaldo and if we sell him we might lose face to a certain degree, but we will keep our dignity and respect and thats something Ronaldo or Madrid will never have.
July 11th, 2008 at 3:16
@Red Ranter: you and I both agreed last week that Ronaldo would be at OT next season but the more he opens his mouth the more he strikes at the core of what SAF and United have stood for and the potential it has for putting seeds of doubt in our other players minds about SAF himself is not a situation I would like to see happening, Sir Alex has some seriouss thinking to do coz your dealing with people who seem to have no moral compass whatsoever and his plans of having Ronaldo around must be reasessed quickly or next season could be a long one coz if he stays all we need is a striker, but if he goes, which seems likely, then we need 2 to 3 new players and in my opinion the latter would be the best long term option.
July 11th, 2008 at 3:57
red ranter,
thanks!
July 11th, 2008 at 4:05
the thing is that a few weeks ago I was really pissed off with Ronaldo and couldn’t wait for him to leave and there was this empty feeling inside of me that felt like losing a family member (and Ronaldo wasn’t even near to being my favourite player and I still think he is slightly overrated and frustrating as I’ve said countless times through the season and people laughed at me) but him and Rooney were meant to be the foundations of this team for years to come and somewhere in the last few weeks I began to nearly accept him back with reading that he had a change of heart but after his comments today that empty feeling is back. I just can’t imagine watching United without Ronaldo anymore but I think we may be better without him. I was watching some Rooney videos earlier and noticed how much he has lost his swagger with having to play second fiddle to ronaldo. He used to have this arrogance, this spark when he went onto the pitch that set him aside from the regular player that I just don’t see anymore. If he can regain this then he can surpass Ronaldo’s ability IMO
July 11th, 2008 at 4:09
Blatter WTF are U ….u just Chief of FIFA NOT GOD of Football……
u say United make ROnaldo like a Slave………….what the Hell….this is Professional JOb…u play for us and we pay U….but Slave u work for us with pressure….Go to Hell Blatter…u dont know nothing about club damm idiot……& Ronaldo U will be Curse until your mom Die…..
July 11th, 2008 at 4:26
@Red Ranter: It’s not easy for me either. I absolutely loved the bugger. He wasn’t my favorite player but he was fighting it out with Riquelme for second and he definitely was a treat for me. I found it hard for me to ever criticize his game because I was so bloody appreciative of his talent and his efforts. This kind of anger comes from a great feeling of betrayal because I defended him and supported him through all of the ups and downs and because I had a special feeling about him not 5 minutes into his club debut that I was watching the future best player in the world. I made that comment to a friend from work back then as I just knew that behind all the show pony tricks there was going to be a great player emerging. Great player yes, great man, not by a long shot. I also knew that anyone who had all that show pony stuff deep inside him, also had the personality of egomaniac and above all, a disloyal bitch ready to break my heart. What really gets me is how hard I was on a player like Nani for making stupid selfish rookie mistakes, but I was so willing to turn a blind eye when Ronaldo would do the very same thing. Why? Because I loved the bitch. And now I have egg on my face and I feel like the scorned woman in a betrayal and it doesn’t feel good. Sure it’s only a sport and there are more important things in life but still, the SOB was a real treat for me and he really made me forget RVN and Beckham quickly. Two departures that still sting today.
July 11th, 2008 at 4:39
check out this wee site for some of mr bladders antics, http://www.transparencyinsport.org
July 11th, 2008 at 4:41
We now have a genuine terrorist in our midst!! A septic blabber, an (in)ept bladder, the one and only “Osama bin Sepp”.
He is now making clandestine videos that are rousing the poor under-privileged footballers of this world. The news agency Al-jeez-are-you real, has revealed that ObS is rallying his soldiers to fight the evil EPL owners who are alledgedly unwilling to release their slaves to sunnier lands. His assistant Vasco d’ Plattini also believes that the harsh treatment of EPL players has to be more F.A.I.R. (French-are-it-right??) Unwilling to to disclose his “Real” motive ObS has ordered his spies to report on all things English!!
July 11th, 2008 at 4:43
dont know whats wrong with that last link but if you google transparencyinsport, you should get some nice articles about mr sepp
July 11th, 2008 at 4:45
@Liam: Actually I can’t imagine watching United WITH him anymore. OK, he has betrayed the team and that’s serious enough but I also take the betrayal personally, a silly as that may sound to some. I supported this player and was one of his loudest advocates. In fact I probably had a few debates with you and others standing up for him while others found things about him to complain about. For me he could do no wrong. The hurt is deep and the hurt is very genuine and I challenge anyone who tells me that it’s BS and trivial and that we’ll all just get over it or that we should all grab some proper perspective. If I have to endure watching the team with twinkle toes gallivanting and dancing around for us next season, I may just pack it in. There is only so much garbage I can endure and I will not have Ronaldo or the team I love spit in my face and then follow that up with a pie in my face and wink and a step over to boot. Fergie cannot do this to his loyal following of supporters who have been there through thick and thin. Right now I have a harder time thinking of any Arsenal, Liverpool or Chelsea player with the kind of disdain I hold in my blackened heart for this horses ass. I would accept a straight up trade for either John Terry or Didier Drogba for Ronaldo if it ensured his departure from OT. And I think people who have read my blogs in the past know what I think of DD and JT. Please Fergie end the misery and the prospective dread of having to endure anymore of this Portuguese shemale. What a bitch and what an insult to the game and team I love!
July 11th, 2008 at 4:53
as a matter of principle, we should not sell you-know-who this year. let him play in the league cup and the reserve team. sell him next summer when his price is still high.
July 11th, 2008 at 4:57
@Grognard: Yeah, have to agree now I was wrong, and that Grog was right to project all the doom and gloom situation.
Yeah, Ronaldo was dead for me too, but still I had the feeling that he won’t leave this season and that because of that we need not bother about more than 1 new signing. But this recent statement by Ronaldo has brought the situation to a point of no return. Trust me, if he turns up in a united shirt anymore, I will be booing as hard in front of the TV as the fans at OT. Fergie just has to get rid of this scum, else nothing will remain of his aura and credibility, and all other other players will get a message that you can do anything at united and still get away.
And with the scum leaving, we are going to be in deep shit regarding players, if we dont act soon. We will indeed need upto 4 players to replace the idiot!
There you go, one more case of successful Grognification!
July 11th, 2008 at 5:13
@allmanunited: I really agree with that principal. The club is always the main point of support. I cant remember when I have ever thought a player was why I thought United was a great “Team”.
July 11th, 2008 at 5:41
@Fred The Red: Fred, I can only think of one time in my 40 years of watching sports religiously that I have ever felt so upset and so betrayed. For many of you this will mean nothing but for the few Canadians and Americans who follow the game of hockey this may resonate a bit. I am originally from the city of Edmonton. The city that had the privilege and the rare treat to witness the development and excellence of probably the greatest hockey team of all time and arguably the greatest player of all time, none other than Wayne Gretzky. To many Edmontonians the Edmonton Oilers and especially Wayne Gretzky put our city on the international map as well as made our city proud to be known as the City of Champions. The team and Wayne instilled great pride and a feeling of accomplishment that the Commonwealth Games, The World University Games and all the oil wealth nunder ground couldn’t match.
Gretzky broke nearly every scoring record in the game’s history and the team won four Stanley Cups (league titles & Cup combined) in his ten years there. 9 league MVP’s 3 Playoff and Cup MVP’s and every piece of silverware a player can win belonged it seems as the permanent property of Gretzky. From 1984 to 1988 the team won 4 titles in 5 years and broke every team record in league and playoff scoring. They were and awesome site and I was privileged to have been a season ticket holder for 8 of those 10 Gretzky seasons.
At the end of the victorious 1987/88 season Wayne (the team captain) was seen skating around Northlands Coliseum hoisting the Stanley Cup over his shoulders for that fourth time. A month later the city became a festival as literally 50,000 fans surrounded the biggest cathedral in the city to just be a part of the big event. The event was Wayne’s wedding. The city was in love with him and for us he was our Princess Diana. He could do no wrong and we were so incredibly grateful for his gifts and his loyalty and commitment to the team. Edmonton after all was just a two bit little oil town in the Alberta prairies and certainly not as glamorous a place to ply ones trade as say LA, New York or even Chicago. But Edmonton was where he played and even though he married an actress (pretty bad one at that), he had no intentions of ever leaving Edmonton for more exciting and glamorous places to play.
A month passed after the wedding and we were all getting ready for a new season to start. I was a little depressed as I had decided with my fiancee to make the big move to Vancouver and thus I sold my half of my season tickets to a friend. I felt awful about that but I was sure I wouldn’t be missed. I am driving in my car around noon when on the radio I hear the most shocking and astonishing news. It was so unbelievable that I had to pull to the side of the road and stop to contain my surprise and anger. Wayne Gretzky had been traded to the Los Angeles Kings for three players and a lot of money. I knew it wasn’t April Fools so I just could not believe what I was hearing. I raced home so I could watch the press conference on tv. Everything was preempted in Edmonton as well as all of Canada. Apparently the team owner Peter Pocklington had felt that now was the time to sell his #1 asset so that he could cash in big before his value would start to diminish. Pocklington who was always disliked in the city over his many shady business deals, was selling Gretzky for money and a few players in return. BOMBSHELL! WOW! I as well as 800,00 Edmontonians and millions of Canadians were just decimated. What was worse is that the considerable money that was won in the deal never ever went towards buying other players or helping the team in any way. Instead he used it to pay off personal debts from private business ventures that had gone wrong. After that Pocklington’s life in Edmonton was over. I have never seen a man so vilified and despised living in one community. Serial killers and child molesters got more fairness from the community than him. Someone even took him hostage in his own house and shot him in the arm before police rescued him. And more and more threats on his life were mailed or phoned in to him. Within a couple of years he finally sold the team and bolted out of the city where he had become public enemy #1. To this day the city has never been the same and the team has never reached the heights it once took for granted. For ten years they were a dynasty equal to anything United or Fergie have accomplished and Gretzky’s football equivalent is not Ronaldo or Kaka but Pele or Maradona himself. The anger I felt those days after the trade took a long time to go away. I could not watch hockey again with the same passion and I have honestly not watched a full game of hockey since 1994. Gretzky went on to break more records and really elevate the game and it’s popularity in the US. He never won another championship but he continued to break records and on two occasions he did so against Edmonton and he also knocked them out of the playoffs one year. For him and me it was sweet revenge. How did Edmonton repay him for this? They erected a 15 foot bronze statue of him in front of Northlands and also had a day of celebration for him while naming a major freeway in the city Wayne Gretzky Way. As for Peter Pocklington, he was never seen in Edmonton again and in an interview he admitted to having feared for his life until he left there. This fear coming from the wrath of an entire community of lambs and simple blue collar people was something to behold. For a couple of years I guess he felt like a wanted man in the middle of the Naples Mafia.
So Ronaldo’s betrayal may not be as bad to the community of Manchester as this was to Edmonton, but I am sure it stings a lot and it definitely reminds me of the only other time I felt so much rage and felt so powerless to help a situation where somebody betrayed our team and our community so badly, that terrible thoughts of violence and betrayal floated in all our heads and in our hearts. It’s amazing the power and the hold that sports has on our collective souls. For this alone, I plead with Fergie to please rid us of this unbearable cancer before it becomes malignant. Ronaldo has done enough damage to his team and followers. Let him go before any thought or memory of him conjures up bitterness and resentment rather than the five glorious years in which he entertained and thrilled us all. I crying for peace and relief. SELL HIM NOW!
July 11th, 2008 at 5:42
@Shreyas: Careful, I might get a swelled head and become a Real Madrid supporter.
July 11th, 2008 at 5:53
@Shreyas: Truthfully it’s gratifying to see someone finally come around to my way of thinking and realize that all is not well and the team has been dragging it’s royal ass trying to prevent the inevitable while doing nothing to buy replacement players that will be needed to fill the massive void left by Ronaldo. We are in a serious state in this club’s history and all our success could go poof like a ball of smoke instantly. If things remain the same, I can see this team literally collapsing from the weight that this situation and the team’s stand pat attitude is bringing. I’m not talking loss of League and CL crowns. no, I mean we will struggle to make it into the top 4 and even make it at all into the following year’s CL. To the Positive Brigade I say the following. Put my theories down all you like but as you can see right now I am coming out as more and more wise buy the minute. And that’s not me with a swelled head and overinflated ego talking. That’s me stating the obvious. It’s as clear as spring rain and we all need to wake up and smell reality. If Fergie is Christ like to us, just remember who turned out to be Judas and what ended up happening to Christ. Ah well, we need a little melodrama now and then.
July 11th, 2008 at 5:58
@allmanunited: You seem to think that he is some knd of robot you can turn on or off. He’s a human being and he doesn’t want to be here. He barely knows the meaning of professionalism yet alone knows how to spell it. To expect him to go out on to the pitch every game and give 100% is naive and totally ridiculous. Also, the first sign of him dogging it or being selfish and Rooney and the gang will pounce on him like rabid wolves on a bloody carcass. To play him in a lame duck scenario is nothing short of insanity and could fracture the team in calamitous way. This isn’t FIFA 08 for crying out loud, it’s real life and this is a very serious and very sensitive situation that could easily erupt into a powderkeg. Send him packing for crying out loud, and not a day to late.
July 11th, 2008 at 6:51
@Grognard: take my word for it mate, the hard core support at OT were always 50/50 on the guy coz of his workrate and commitment in certain games, I was over 3 times last year and although I didnt hear it myself 2 of my friends where at matches when sections of the support gave him dogs abuse.
Can you imagine the welcome he is going to get now.
July 11th, 2008 at 7:09
I am deeply hurt by ronaldo comment that he support that twat.First he spoilt our double win last season and now he is playing with my nerve.
July 11th, 2008 at 8:16
@Fred The Red: Honestly, if he is forced to play a season for us I think he could be in danger from psychotic fans who get out of hand. If he was to commit to the team that would be different. I see the opposition to him being extreme next season should he actually suit up for us. I wouldn’t bet on it though.
July 11th, 2008 at 8:25
I agree ronaldo need to watch his mouth otherwise he will be targeted by some section of fans which will be a shame. But i don’t understand why he is not clearing the air. to increase his pay? maybe……..
July 11th, 2008 at 8:33
have anyone seen his video on skysports?
July 11th, 2008 at 8:39
@Grognard: I agree, SAF needs to wake up and smell the cofee coz most of the United fans that I speek to over here in Belfast are sick of Ronaldo and that was before yesterdays outburst, his ingratitude really is stunning and although I would love to see him rot in the reserves, I think United are better of shot of him now coz all joking aside, in football terms I dont think Ive seen a more selfish, disrespectal and self absorbed display than Ronaldo has put on this summer and the frightening part about it is, I doubt that he even cares.
The unfortunate part about it is that by selling him, his comments will have achieved thier goal which could be seen as a victory for him and Madrid but lets be real here wether he stays or goes this summer, we have learnt an awful lot about Mr Ronaldo this summer and either way hes not the type of personality that I want at the club, so as far as Im concerned its time for him to go.
July 11th, 2008 at 8:40
What the fuck is he thinking about himself? If the translation is accurate, then he made a big tit of himself.
July 11th, 2008 at 8:53
Sepp Blatter has put his foot in his mouth again by claiming that Cristiano Ronaldo is being treated like a slave at Manchester United.
It’s not the first time the Fifa president, who was once described as “a man who has 50 ideas a day, 51 of them bad”, has got the back up of the entire footballing world. His outspoken views cover a vast range of subjects from women’s football to the size of the goalposts. So is he the voice of reason or a madman with too much power? Judge for yourself…
1. Why have two halves when you can have four quarters? Blatter’s plan to make the beautiful game more popular in the United States sinks like Derby County.
2. Blatter claims that women players should wear tighter shorts to make the game more sexy.
3. The president is not finished with women’s football yet as he dives in with both feet to announce that “homosexuality is more popular” in the female game.
4. The game is becoming boring. We need more goals. Solution? Make the goals bigger – 25cm higher and 50cm wider should do the trick.
5. “I think there is too much football on TV”. Blatter bites the hand that feeds.
6. Blatter threatens to ban Spain from major tournaments six months before Luis Aragones’s team triumph at Euro 2008. Why? The Spanish government wants sporting associations to become more democratic.
7. Why have one Graham Poll when you can have two? Sepp wants two referees for us to abuse and ridicule.
8. Blatter alienates the whole of Italy by accusing Marcello Lippi’s team of cheating during the World Cup finals in Germany in 2006.
9. One billion cricket-mad Indians scratch their heads after Blatter urges them to put down their bats and take up the beautiful game. “If your brother asks for a fish, don’t give him the same; instead, teach him how to catch it,” Sepp announces on an official visit to India. You what?
10. Try searching for “Blatter” and “mad” on google. You’ll get more than 100,000 results.
July 11th, 2008 at 8:56
As a mad Gooner, I have sympathy with Manchester United. Ronaldo is under contract. This is the same situation as we have with Hleb and Adebayor who are both under contract. Forget Ronaldo says, he basically wants more money. Another greedy player! The fans, we are the mugs. However, I do not know many slaves that are allowed to sign a contract!!
July 11th, 2008 at 9:00
I’m devastated about how Blatter’s utterings are now a direct catalyst for Ronaldo’s move. Not only did Blatter say that he thinks, Ronaldo should move, but he also gave Ronaldo a weapon. By agreeing with Blatter, Ronaldo has now enraged so many fans that him staying seems more and more unlikely (even though at this point, I still think, he’ll stay because we won’t sell him). I think it shows the class of United fans that we won’t tolerate statements like these, but I wonder how Real Madrid’s fans feel about it?
I got to thinking. To me, it appears more and more clear that this whole thing is orchestrated by Real Madrid. I’m not removing responsibility from Ronaldo, because any sane person would never agree to Blatter’s remarks, but he’s only 23 and can be lured into something like this, if the snake’s tongue is poisonous enough, and we all know the tongue of Calderon (and now Blatter).
But the thing is that back in Febrary this very year, Blatter was angered by the verdict by the decision on the Andy Webster case (that RR mentioned), which gave players the right to exit contracts by buying their way out after a certain number of years, depending on their age at the time of signing. He said something like: “The decision is very destructive for football and is a great victory for those players and agents, who play with the idea of breaching contracts without fullfilling them”. So summed up, he said that players and agents were given too much power. This is 5 months ago.
And now he claims that players and agents should have more power, and that players are enslaved by their clubs.
It makes no sense, unless you put on your conspiracy specs, and so I will. *specs on*. Isn’t it obvious that Blatter is payed off by Real Madrid to aid them in their pursuit? How else can we interpret this shift in mood and opinion. It’s a little different - it’s completely opposite. How can anyone make such a dramatic U-turn in 5 months over something that important in football today, unless he’s got someone filling his pockets?
If this matter isn’t looked into, it’s frightening times ahead for our beloved sport, and I’m serious about this.
*specs off*
Same feeling. That curropted SOB should be put in jail and fucked in the ass 24/7.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:03
Real Madrid’s Calderon grateful to friend Blatter for Ronaldo comments
tribalfootball.com - July 11, 2008
Real Madrid are ecstatic with FIFA president Sepp Blatter’s demands that Manchester United should allow Cristiano Ronaldo to leave Old Trafford.
AS says Real president Ramon Calderon’s phone never stopped buzzing yesterday morning as club powerbrokers and supporters sought his reaction from Blatter’s amazing comments.
Blatter is a close friend of Calderon and a supporter of Madrid - and Real directors are convinced his intervention will be the final twist of the arm needed for United to come to the negotiating table.
Indeed, the timing of Blatter’s comments have been welcomed by Real’s board as they believe the next two weeks will be critical in deciding whether Ronaldo pulls on a white shirt next season.
One AS columnist, Joaquin Maroto, acknowledged that Blatter’s statements came from the FIFA president’s concerns that the Premiership was hoarding the world’s best talent and becoming increasingly dominant in the Champions League.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:09
@Tomas: Confirmation of what you said:
Feb 1 2008: Angry Sepp Blatter raps Andy Webster ruling as ‘very damaging’ for game
July 10 2008: Sepp Blatter urges Cristiano Ronaldo to leave Manchester United for Real Madrid
July 11th, 2008 at 9:21
Blatter’s quotes about the webster rule on Feb 10 and Ronaldo on Jul 10, for our reading pleasure
:
Feb 10: “The decision which CAS took is very damaging for football and is a pyrrhic victory for those players and their agents, who toy with the idea of rescinding contracts before they have been fulfilled”
Jul 10: “The important thing is we should also protect the player. And if the player wants to play somewhere else, then a solution should be found. 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. I’m always in favour to protect the player and if the player wants to leave, let him leave.”
Feb 10: “Because of this unfortunate decision, the principle of contractual stability, as agreed in 2001 with the European Commission as part of the new transfer regulations and which restored order to the transfer system, has been deemed less important than the short-term interests of the player.”
Jul 10: “In football, there’s too much modern slavery, in transferring players or buying players here and there and putting them somewhere. We are trying now to intervene in such cases. The reaction to the Bosman law was to make long-lasting contracts in order to keep the players. Then, if he wants to leave, there is only one solution: he has to pay his contract.”
Feb 10: Under Blatter, a lawyer himself, moves will now be afoot inside Fifa to rectify Article 17 and to attempt to safeguard the sanctity of players’ contracts. Fifa insist that breaking a contract without just cause remains “unjustified” and is concerned that, in future, any player in the same situation as Webster will know the cost of buying themselves out of a deal.
Jul 10: Blatter, the Real madrid member and calderon minion has taken yet another bribe and maybe promises of votes in the next election, to stab another knife into the heart of football.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:59
This little weasel must be sold immediately.
If he is forced to stay he wont perform, the fans will boo him, he will spend majority of season sulking, throwing up hands, getting sent off, sitting on bench. His transfer fee will drop MASSIVELY.
Cut our losses, sell the little pr**k for £85 million and then wait for the inevitable draw against Real Madrid in the Champions League.
At this stage the fee isn’t even important, the damage he is doing is immeasurable and it should be solved at once. Give it up Alex, he’s a lost cause and certainly not worth the hassle.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:31
Tomas I love you!!!
I want him sold now!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He is a disgrace, he is urinating on all the fans who have stuck by him through thick and thin. When he first came and was just a show pony and we supported him after the World cup.
Fergie needs to loose the principal part and let him leave, this is not a battle of wills with him and Real, he needs to know the fans no longer want Ronaldo to wear the shirt and that is more important.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:27
If we sell Ronaldo we may as well say goodbye to all our future and present players as we are saying that 1) We are a selling club 2) Real are a bigger club than us 3) That if you unsettle a player in the media we will sell him
Not to mention the first sign that we would be willing to sell him knocks about 20mill of his price tag. Even marca has reported over the last few weeks that they arent willing to pay silly money and are looking at a deal in the £40mill range so any excuse to knock millions off just plays into their hands.
As for Ronaldo agreeing with Sepp, lets be honest pretty much every player currently playing will agree with it. After all who wouldn’t agree with it something that would allow you freedom to change jobs if they wished. TBH I also think that while sepp may have used the wrong words especially calling it slavery he does have a point. How many of us in our work contracts don’t have a way for us to leave our job if we wish to go and work somewhere else, pretty much everyone will have, normally in the form of a notice period. Footballers really are treated more as commodities than workers and while I personally think thats fine its understandable that people, especially players will feel its wrong
July 11th, 2008 at 11:40
Wakey wakey, you wanna pay me £120k a week and give me a signing-on fee of xx Million? I’ll sign a contract that binds me to a company for 4 years. It’s absolutely ridiculous to propose players can walk away from contracts whenever they want, where will that leave the clubs and their already stretched finances? Who’s going to pay for transfer fees and wages when each team will be required to make dozens of signings each year? What kind of football would result in such an open system? Nothing worth watching in my opinion.
And what of all the smaller clubs? Any player who’s half decent wanders to the gates of the top four and leaves zero behind for development of grass roots.
A contract is signed for a reason, you want out? discuss it with your club, don’t go around whining to the media like that scumbag CR7