Hang on, slavery? How much are Man Utd paying Ronaldo? I think Blatter needs to choose his words a lot more carefully. Ronaldo has a contract with his club and I believe Man Utd are doing exactly the right thing, at the end of the day he is employed by them and they have the right to tell him what to do. Today's footballers need to learn the concept of loyalty and stop thinking that they are bigger than their clubs. Dare I say it, this is yet another nonsensical attack by Blatter in his vendetta against English football, and part of yet another shameless utilisation by Real Madrid of the status as the 'biggest club in the world' to publicly pursue any player they want because it must be any player's dream to play for them, even though, at this moment, Manchester United are a much stronger team.
Posted 13:45 10th July 2008
George Wallace (Arsenal fan) says...
Time and time again Mr Platter shows his ignorance. How he ever became FIFA president is beyond me??? Is it not about time he is given the boot?
What gets me riled up even more is when the media decides this is a story worth reporting. Can we not just ignore him, for it so obviously seems he is just wanting to court attention? Stop feeding the troll.
Posted 13:43 10th July 2008
Simon Cass (Liverpool fan) says...
There is nothing more I would like as a Liverpool fan than to see Ronaldo pack his bags and move to Madrid. However I am really annoyed (to put it mildly) at Blatter's comments. This man is so obviously anti-English, its a disgrace that he is head of FIFA. The English FA should back Man Utd up as should all other English clubs. And why does Uefa allow him to interfere between two European clubs? Because Platini is also anti-English. These two just can't stomach the fact that English clubs are set to dominate Europe for the forseeable future.
Posted 13:38 10th July 2008
Clinton Nel (Chelsea fan) says...
What has football become? The lunatics are running the asylum and the man in charge thinks they are being treated unfair!! Unfortunatly football has become to large for its own good. It no longer matters to those in charge how affordable or how enjoyable the game is for its fans!! All the top clubs and I mean all, only care about TV rights and shirt sales, For Fergi, Sven, Brolly boy, the FA and every owner/top manager in Europe, football is a business, for the rest of us it's our world on a weekend!
Posted 13:38 10th July 2008
Mark Smith (Liverpool fan) says...
How can a man like that be allowed to run world football like he does. With all the daft comments and new rules he is coming out with here is a a comment they should consider sacking that twat blatter a putting a man in charge who has the knowledge and the background of the game. Every thing he says is just anti english premiership at the minute and all for the spainish league or real madrid. Just look at the Gareth Barry saga and yet he is to come out and say anything towards that.
I believe that he should be ousted at the first chance and a man like Beckenbaur voted in I know he might not be the first choice for every one but he has the knowledge of the game and the integrity to make decisions for the good of the game. Dont get me wrong now I'm a liverpool supporter to the back bone and have a dislike for united except for the ronaldo situation which i believe ferguson is correct to do. So go fergie stick it to blatter and get one over for us all.
Posted 13:36 10th July 2008
Sepp Blatter says...
I cannot understand why people would get annoyed by what Sepp Blatter said. When are people going to wake up and understand, that blatter hates all English club and anything to do with English football. Look at the favour he has done in helping England stage a world cup, look at the fines he has imposed on English clubs in europe. Blatter hates when he hears that the premeirship is the best and riches league in the world, so anything he can do to drag or pull down British football put a smile on his face. Sepp Blatter understands what slavery is, because like a slave master he makes his own rules and expects everyone to do as he says, or maybe he thinks he is a football god or prophet who people should listen too and follow. Why is the president of FIFA getting involved in club matters that are outside of his realm. He only seems interested in saying something if it's a English side and a Foreign side involved. I can only wonder why like so many of us do, someone should ask him what interest he has in this saga. It seems that clubs can once again poach players and nothing is said or done if you are a certain clubs and have friends in certain places a blind eye is turned.
Posted 13:32 10th July 2008
Mike Kyd (Arsenal fan) says...
Since when did slaves earn in excess of £80,000 a week?!? Players have too much power these days in any case, and a contract is a contract and should be adhered too, if you're not happy with the terms then don't sign it in the first place!!!
Posted 13:27 10th July 2008
Phil Hoole says...
Blatter and Platini are an absolute disgrace! I believe their hatred of English football is clouding their judgement. Does anyone really take any notice of what they say? Any representative for UEFA should be impartial and have the good of the game as their focus. They are an embaressment.
Posted 13:26 10th July 2008
Heinz Latham says...
As a Liverpool fan i also don't care if Ronaldo leaves MANU or not.
However Blatter shld stay out of things he does not understand.
What is he doing to let Arshavin leave Zenit? Zenit are pushing his price up and up. Arshavin is also a want to leave player but Blatter probably hasn't heard anything about it. Maybe clubs shld complain to him like MANU did with Real/Ronaldo. If it would have been the otherway round MANU would have been banned from Europe for 3 years and fine milions of ¿'s.
So much to FAIR PLAY !!!
Posted 13:25 10th July 2008
Simon Porter says...
Why is there even a debate about this? Ronaldo has a contract with manchester united. Sepp Blatter is a discrace by making these comments, he is the head of Fifa. He should lose his job over comments like that, he is basically being biased and favouring real madrid. in any other world his behaviour would b laughed at and he would be sacked
Posted 13:22 10th July 2008
Craig M says...
Why is Blatter getting involved?! Ronaldo has never said he wants to leave United, so there is no issue! In order for Ronaldo to move, Real Madrid need to make an offer, which they have not done, nor shown any real indications that they are going to.
Leo Messi is the only player who can get near Ronaldo at present, and he has a £100.3 million buy out clause in his CONTRACT, so Real should have to pay more than this for the 'BEST' player in the world, then United can use the money to buy Messi as a replacement.
Posted 13:21 10th July 2008
Richard Morgan (Manchester United fan) says...
What a clown, how can a person in such power say a thing of this sort. He has no morales and he hardly promoting a fair game to the younger generations both on and off the pitch. Even if Ronnie was left to rot in the reserves it would still be scandalous to associate this with slavery!! I think both Fergie and O'Niel deverve prais for showing that no player will ever become bigger than the club, because when this happens, the game which we love will be turned into a mockery.
Posted 13:20 10th July 2008
James Coughlan (West Ham United fan) says...
Another measure that seems to elevate the modern day footballer to God like status. Its a complete disgrace to the clubs, espically the smaller clubs like West ham, we have a hard time keeping our players as it is, without long term contracts it would be hopeless. Clubs are bigger than the players. Manchester United will be around and earning FIFA money long after Ronaldo hangs up his boots for good and I think Blatter should repect that
Posted 08:51 10th July 2008
Stefan Gauci (Manchester United fan) says...
Football Slavery?? Has Sepp Blatter gone insane?? We are talking here of a contract that both Manchester United and Christiano Ronaldo have absolutely the obligation to honour. What message is the FIFA President giving to all the football fans of the world?? Contracts should not be honoured?? Blatter may have his views on his so-called football slavery, but Blatter should realise that in his position of FIFA President he cannot afford to make such comments. His comments go against the roots of civilisation - honouring committments and obligations undertaken. If Footballers should set the example for younger footballers and fans, should't Blatter's actiona and words also set an example. What's next now?? Blatter admitting he is a Real Madrid fan?? Blatter please resign from FIFA and stay at home. You don't deserve any better.
Posted 08:49 10th July 2008
Gavin Scouse (Liverpool fan) says...
What the hell is the FIFA president doing getting involved in the so called "is he going, is he staying, who cares saga? of ronaldo" please i think we are all bored over this now! anyway i think this blatter guys an idiot "slavery" where the hell is he coming from? these guys get paid stupid amounts of money to play the game they love try working in an office for peanuts mate!
and although i hate united i agree with them standing their ground over this we see it far to often with real madrid, why the hell should teams be media bullied into selling there prized assets? Blatter..... do what you should be doing and concentrate on improving the game we all love and we all know your jealous of the premier league, which is lets face it greatest football league in the world now!
Posted 08:48 10th July 2008
Alex Pringle (Manchester United fan) says...
Michael Owen, Cassano, Baptista, Beckham to name but a few ..... maybe its Madrid that let high profile stars rot on benches right Blatter???My idea of slavery certainly isn't a new Ferrari every 7 days. If you really want to do something constructive with your life Sepp, then buy a stage or host a chat show, cause everyone finds you pretty amusing.
Posted 08:47 10th July 2008
Johno J (Manchester United fan) says...
I wonder if Blatter would be making these same comments if things were the other way around; Ronaldo leaving Real Madrid for a premiership club? I doubt it somehow. His clear dislike for English football and clubs is beginning to get tiring. And now he's suggesting a player can break his contract when he likes! Not much point in a contract is there if it is going to be ignored.
Posted 08:44 10th July 2008
Robin Hood says...
This man is an embarrassment to football. He's getting on now so we shouldn't have to put up with his garbage for much longer. I'm a Chelsea fan but I say well done to Man UTD for keeping this player to his contract. A contract is a contract Blatter you bufoon.
Posted 08:40 10th July 2008
Simon Morgan says...
How on earth is this man the 'top man' in football? His views always seem to show an antagonism towards UK football, and even more against Man Utd. In any field of life a contract entered into freely by both sides has to be honoured, and is something the governing body and it¿s representatives should be doing everything possible to enforce ¿ not undermine.
Real Madrid for their part should be utterly ashamed with their behaviour in this scandal ¿ I¿m sure that if the boot was on the other foot they, Real Madrid, would be crying to EUFA and FIFA and would probably receive support from them!!
Posted 08:39 10th July 2008
Paul Tyerman (Manchester United fan) says...
This guy is an idiot. He is constantly coming out with these statements. He is basically saying that players should be able to leave whenever they want. What is the point of a contract then?
United will not keep Ronaldo if he really does want to leave, but they can't just let clubs think they can do what Madrid are doing, and expect everyone to roll over and say ok. They need to make a stance.
Comments (76)
James Oj (Swansea City fan) says...
Hang on, slavery? How much are Man Utd paying Ronaldo? I think Blatter needs to choose his words a lot more carefully. Ronaldo has a contract with his club and I believe Man Utd are doing exactly the right thing, at the end of the day he is employed by them and they have the right to tell him what to do. Today's footballers need to learn the concept of loyalty and stop thinking that they are bigger than their clubs. Dare I say it, this is yet another nonsensical attack by Blatter in his vendetta against English football, and part of yet another shameless utilisation by Real Madrid of the status as the 'biggest club in the world' to publicly pursue any player they want because it must be any player's dream to play for them, even though, at this moment, Manchester United are a much stronger team.
Posted 13:45 10th July 2008
George Wallace (Arsenal fan) says...
Time and time again Mr Platter shows his ignorance. How he ever became FIFA president is beyond me??? Is it not about time he is given the boot? What gets me riled up even more is when the media decides this is a story worth reporting. Can we not just ignore him, for it so obviously seems he is just wanting to court attention? Stop feeding the troll.
Posted 13:43 10th July 2008
Simon Cass (Liverpool fan) says...
There is nothing more I would like as a Liverpool fan than to see Ronaldo pack his bags and move to Madrid. However I am really annoyed (to put it mildly) at Blatter's comments. This man is so obviously anti-English, its a disgrace that he is head of FIFA. The English FA should back Man Utd up as should all other English clubs. And why does Uefa allow him to interfere between two European clubs? Because Platini is also anti-English. These two just can't stomach the fact that English clubs are set to dominate Europe for the forseeable future.
Posted 13:38 10th July 2008
Clinton Nel (Chelsea fan) says...
What has football become? The lunatics are running the asylum and the man in charge thinks they are being treated unfair!! Unfortunatly football has become to large for its own good. It no longer matters to those in charge how affordable or how enjoyable the game is for its fans!! All the top clubs and I mean all, only care about TV rights and shirt sales, For Fergi, Sven, Brolly boy, the FA and every owner/top manager in Europe, football is a business, for the rest of us it's our world on a weekend!
Posted 13:38 10th July 2008
Mark Smith (Liverpool fan) says...
How can a man like that be allowed to run world football like he does. With all the daft comments and new rules he is coming out with here is a a comment they should consider sacking that twat blatter a putting a man in charge who has the knowledge and the background of the game. Every thing he says is just anti english premiership at the minute and all for the spainish league or real madrid. Just look at the Gareth Barry saga and yet he is to come out and say anything towards that. I believe that he should be ousted at the first chance and a man like Beckenbaur voted in I know he might not be the first choice for every one but he has the knowledge of the game and the integrity to make decisions for the good of the game. Dont get me wrong now I'm a liverpool supporter to the back bone and have a dislike for united except for the ronaldo situation which i believe ferguson is correct to do. So go fergie stick it to blatter and get one over for us all.
Posted 13:36 10th July 2008
Sepp Blatter says...
I cannot understand why people would get annoyed by what Sepp Blatter said. When are people going to wake up and understand, that blatter hates all English club and anything to do with English football. Look at the favour he has done in helping England stage a world cup, look at the fines he has imposed on English clubs in europe. Blatter hates when he hears that the premeirship is the best and riches league in the world, so anything he can do to drag or pull down British football put a smile on his face. Sepp Blatter understands what slavery is, because like a slave master he makes his own rules and expects everyone to do as he says, or maybe he thinks he is a football god or prophet who people should listen too and follow. Why is the president of FIFA getting involved in club matters that are outside of his realm. He only seems interested in saying something if it's a English side and a Foreign side involved. I can only wonder why like so many of us do, someone should ask him what interest he has in this saga. It seems that clubs can once again poach players and nothing is said or done if you are a certain clubs and have friends in certain places a blind eye is turned.
Posted 13:32 10th July 2008
Mike Kyd (Arsenal fan) says...
Since when did slaves earn in excess of £80,000 a week?!? Players have too much power these days in any case, and a contract is a contract and should be adhered too, if you're not happy with the terms then don't sign it in the first place!!!
Posted 13:27 10th July 2008
Phil Hoole says...
Blatter and Platini are an absolute disgrace! I believe their hatred of English football is clouding their judgement. Does anyone really take any notice of what they say? Any representative for UEFA should be impartial and have the good of the game as their focus. They are an embaressment.
Posted 13:26 10th July 2008
Heinz Latham says...
As a Liverpool fan i also don't care if Ronaldo leaves MANU or not. However Blatter shld stay out of things he does not understand. What is he doing to let Arshavin leave Zenit? Zenit are pushing his price up and up. Arshavin is also a want to leave player but Blatter probably hasn't heard anything about it. Maybe clubs shld complain to him like MANU did with Real/Ronaldo. If it would have been the otherway round MANU would have been banned from Europe for 3 years and fine milions of ¿'s. So much to FAIR PLAY !!!
Posted 13:25 10th July 2008
Simon Porter says...
Why is there even a debate about this? Ronaldo has a contract with manchester united. Sepp Blatter is a discrace by making these comments, he is the head of Fifa. He should lose his job over comments like that, he is basically being biased and favouring real madrid. in any other world his behaviour would b laughed at and he would be sacked
Posted 13:22 10th July 2008
Craig M says...
Why is Blatter getting involved?! Ronaldo has never said he wants to leave United, so there is no issue! In order for Ronaldo to move, Real Madrid need to make an offer, which they have not done, nor shown any real indications that they are going to. Leo Messi is the only player who can get near Ronaldo at present, and he has a £100.3 million buy out clause in his CONTRACT, so Real should have to pay more than this for the 'BEST' player in the world, then United can use the money to buy Messi as a replacement.
Posted 13:21 10th July 2008
Richard Morgan (Manchester United fan) says...
What a clown, how can a person in such power say a thing of this sort. He has no morales and he hardly promoting a fair game to the younger generations both on and off the pitch. Even if Ronnie was left to rot in the reserves it would still be scandalous to associate this with slavery!! I think both Fergie and O'Niel deverve prais for showing that no player will ever become bigger than the club, because when this happens, the game which we love will be turned into a mockery.
Posted 13:20 10th July 2008
James Coughlan (West Ham United fan) says...
Another measure that seems to elevate the modern day footballer to God like status. Its a complete disgrace to the clubs, espically the smaller clubs like West ham, we have a hard time keeping our players as it is, without long term contracts it would be hopeless. Clubs are bigger than the players. Manchester United will be around and earning FIFA money long after Ronaldo hangs up his boots for good and I think Blatter should repect that
Posted 08:51 10th July 2008
Stefan Gauci (Manchester United fan) says...
Football Slavery?? Has Sepp Blatter gone insane?? We are talking here of a contract that both Manchester United and Christiano Ronaldo have absolutely the obligation to honour. What message is the FIFA President giving to all the football fans of the world?? Contracts should not be honoured?? Blatter may have his views on his so-called football slavery, but Blatter should realise that in his position of FIFA President he cannot afford to make such comments. His comments go against the roots of civilisation - honouring committments and obligations undertaken. If Footballers should set the example for younger footballers and fans, should't Blatter's actiona and words also set an example. What's next now?? Blatter admitting he is a Real Madrid fan?? Blatter please resign from FIFA and stay at home. You don't deserve any better.
Posted 08:49 10th July 2008
Gavin Scouse (Liverpool fan) says...
What the hell is the FIFA president doing getting involved in the so called "is he going, is he staying, who cares saga? of ronaldo" please i think we are all bored over this now! anyway i think this blatter guys an idiot "slavery" where the hell is he coming from? these guys get paid stupid amounts of money to play the game they love try working in an office for peanuts mate! and although i hate united i agree with them standing their ground over this we see it far to often with real madrid, why the hell should teams be media bullied into selling there prized assets? Blatter..... do what you should be doing and concentrate on improving the game we all love and we all know your jealous of the premier league, which is lets face it greatest football league in the world now!
Posted 08:48 10th July 2008
Alex Pringle (Manchester United fan) says...
Michael Owen, Cassano, Baptista, Beckham to name but a few ..... maybe its Madrid that let high profile stars rot on benches right Blatter???My idea of slavery certainly isn't a new Ferrari every 7 days. If you really want to do something constructive with your life Sepp, then buy a stage or host a chat show, cause everyone finds you pretty amusing.
Posted 08:47 10th July 2008
Johno J (Manchester United fan) says...
I wonder if Blatter would be making these same comments if things were the other way around; Ronaldo leaving Real Madrid for a premiership club? I doubt it somehow. His clear dislike for English football and clubs is beginning to get tiring. And now he's suggesting a player can break his contract when he likes! Not much point in a contract is there if it is going to be ignored.
Posted 08:44 10th July 2008
Robin Hood says...
This man is an embarrassment to football. He's getting on now so we shouldn't have to put up with his garbage for much longer. I'm a Chelsea fan but I say well done to Man UTD for keeping this player to his contract. A contract is a contract Blatter you bufoon.
Posted 08:40 10th July 2008
Simon Morgan says...
How on earth is this man the 'top man' in football? His views always seem to show an antagonism towards UK football, and even more against Man Utd. In any field of life a contract entered into freely by both sides has to be honoured, and is something the governing body and it¿s representatives should be doing everything possible to enforce ¿ not undermine. Real Madrid for their part should be utterly ashamed with their behaviour in this scandal ¿ I¿m sure that if the boot was on the other foot they, Real Madrid, would be crying to EUFA and FIFA and would probably receive support from them!!
Posted 08:39 10th July 2008
Paul Tyerman (Manchester United fan) says...
This guy is an idiot. He is constantly coming out with these statements. He is basically saying that players should be able to leave whenever they want. What is the point of a contract then? United will not keep Ronaldo if he really does want to leave, but they can't just let clubs think they can do what Madrid are doing, and expect everyone to roll over and say ok. They need to make a stance.
Posted 08:39 10th July 2008