United reject Blatter claim

Blatter: United response

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Manchester United have issued a terse response to Sepp Blatter's claim that Cristiano Ronaldo should be allowed to leave Old Trafford.

The Fifa president has caused widespread controversy with his comments in an exclusive Sky Sports News interview about 'modern slavery' in football.

Portuguese phenomenon Ronaldo has been linked with a move to Real Madrid throughout the summer, with the Spanish giants publicly courting the winger.

United insist their star man is not for sale, but Blatter has waded into the debate by claiming players should be given the freedom to move on when they want to.

A Red Devils club spokesperson responded: "All our players - like at other clubs - enter into their contracts after an open and free negotiation.

"Most of whom do after taking advice from a FIFA-registered agent.

"Many do so on a number of occasions and enjoy long and successful stays at Old Trafford."

Out of control

Uefa have warned that players are becoming ever more powerful as a consequence of the Bosman ruling - and rejected Blatter's suggestions they are slaves to clubs.

Communications director William Gaillard, who also serves as special advisor to UEFA president Michel Platini, gave a different point of view and claimed salaries are 'spiralling out of control'.

"It would be useful to remind people that slaves in all of the slavery systems never earned a wage," Gaillard told Sky Sports News.

The Bosman ruling came into effect in 1995, allowing players free transfers at the end of contracts, and those coming to the conclusion of their deals have become targets for other clubs.

"It seems that both clubs and players are trying to negotiate an exit before the player is free," said Gaillard.

"It is a consequence of the Bosman ruling - there is nothing we can do about that.

"It is obvious that today players have a lot more power than they did 20 years ago, undoubtedly, and agents have a lot more power than they did 20 years ago.

"It is true that salaries are spiralling out of control. Many clubs have pointed that out."