This is a quote from Sepp Blatter when discussing the Ronaldo situation.
In an exclusive interview with Sky News, the Fifa president Sepp Blatter said the current post-Bosman practice of tying players to long contracts amounts to "modern slavery".
And he is urging Manchester United and Real Madrid "to sit together" if Ronaldo wants a move to the Spanish club.
"If the player wants to play somewhere else, then a solution should be found," said Mr Blatter.
"Because if he stays in a club where he does not feel comfortable to play then it's no 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." |
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One questions whether my Blatter would have a similar opinion if the controversy was based on Ronaldo leaving a European mainland club to move to the Premiership.
Modern Slavery, Mr Blatter seems to have a knack of talking out his rear orifice, how can anyone equate a football player under contract and earning a basic wage of £100,000 per week with the term slavery?
Also, Ronaldo didn't look too unhappy earlier in the year when he held the Champions League cup and the Premiership trophy, but perhaps he was being a brave boy and concealing his sadness.
The fact is that he is a big boy now and has signed a contract, which on its own would make him fairly wealthy, but when added to his other sponsorship deals, means that even if he stopped playing now, he would never have to work again, not a lot of sympathy here I'm afraid.