Blatter: Cristiano Ronaldo Is a Slave to Man U

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Could someone explain to me why FIFA president Sepp Blatter felt it was necessary to comment about the Cristiano Ronaldo situation? Doesn't he have bigger fish to fry, like overseeing South Africa's readiness for the 2010 World Cup, or rigging the next FIFA vote to make sure he's re-elected? Or are those small things when compared to ensuring that Ronaldo gets what he wants?

It's not just that he felt the need to say something, either. It's what he actually said:

"There's too much modern slavery, in transferring players or buying players. We are trying now to intervene in such cases. The reaction to the Bosman law is to make long-lasting contracts to keep the players, and then if he wants to leave there is only one solution, he has to pay his contract."

"Modern slavery." Is he serious?

Does Blatter think Manchester United brought CR7 over on a boat from Portugal and force him to play for the club? No. Ronaldo signed a contract that pays him £120,000 a week for his service to the club. Now he says he wants to go to Madrid -- mostly to keep his name in the papers -- and the president of FIFA suddenly feels it's necessary to intervene on his behalf?

I think Mark Twain said it best when he said, "It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt." Former Man United player Paul Parker said it even better:

"What Blatter is saying is players can join a new club every year, whatever their contract situation. That is a disgraceful statement for the president of FIFA to make. Players already have so much freedom and power. Why should they be allowed to walk out on a five-year deal after just 12 months? It isn't right. His ridiculous idea could ruin the game.

"But it isn't the first time Blatter has come out with some daft statement. His comments show he really hasn't got any idea about football."

Indeed. Blatter has no business telling Man United how to run its business, and even UEFA thinks his "modern slavery" remark is out of line. Sir Alex Ferguson would be fully justified in publicly telling Blatter to butt out.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

7-12-2008 @ 8:42PM

David said...

Both Blatter & Platter [Presidents of the World FA & Euro FA] seem to have hostile attitudes towards the English League. That this latest jibe should come in is no surprise at all. I suspect the sentiment would be reversed if a host of players in France and elsewhere tore up their contracts to head for the lucrative wages in England.

On Princess Ronaldo, it's probably too late and he'll be off soon. Frankly I'd be glad to see him go. I'm getting fed up with defending his pouts and his prima donna approach to the team. SAF had the courage to cut Becks off when he strayed, he needs to do the same again. No player is bigger than the club.

Will he be missed? Sure. He's a fabulous player and may one day be a great one. If we can get 75 mil for him we should take it. That, together with the 20 mil we already have to spend, should set us up superbly. Especially now, with presidential decree, we can buy who we want, contract no matter.

7-13-2008 @ 1:50AM

JR said...

Wow, this guy stole my theory 100%. At least he's correct with it. All professional athletes = modern day slaves. Money or what we consider high salaries are just a way to detract from what it really is. Trust me, if NBA team owners could stand at the baseline with 10 foot leather whips in hand, they would.