Riga hits out at Ron claims

Top Spanish players stand up for crisis club

By Hayley Paterson   Last updated: 23rd August 2008

Mustapha Riga

Riga: Unpaid

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Bolton's Mustapha Riga has laughed at Cristiano Ronaldo's "football slave" claims after he went the whole of last season without being paid.

The Wanderers new boy was playing in Spain for crisis club Levante - who were relegated from La Liga and struggled to pay the players' wages.

But the 26-year-old showed no sympathy for the Manchester United winger's claims, during his transfer saga, which echoed that of Fifa president Sepp Blatter saying footballers are "slaves".

Difficult situation

"I'm happy for Ronaldo to be well paid as he deserves it, but I deserve my money also," Riga told The Sun.

"His situation is totally different to mine. It was a difficult situation at Levante and I wouldn't wish that on any footballer.

"It was very tough. How did I pay my bills? Luckily I have been playing football for a while, so I had to use my savings!

"We used to joke about it but it was very hard because some guys couldn't get to training - the other players had to pick them up."

Unresolved

While the striker hopes for happier times at the Reebok Stadium, he said the situation with the Spanish side is still unresolved, leading to top players standing by the club and boycotting Primera Division's opening games.

"The captains of Real Madrid and Barcelona, Raul and Xavi, have promised us they will not start the league until the situation is resolved.

"It still isn't resolved, so the first games in Spain are in major doubt," he added.