FIFA president Sepp Blatter has found himself in the eye of a storm after expressing his concerns about what he believes is a trend towards "modern slavery" in football.
Blatter cited the case of Cristiano Ronaldo and said he should be allowed to leave Manchester United if he wanted to.
United took issue with arguably the most powerful man in world football – but that was nothing compared to the wrath of the Le
ague Managers' Association. They have accused Blatter of "being out of touch" and using "a poor choice of words".
The Professional Footballers Association, not to mention Uefa have also been perplexed by Blatter's comments in a Sky News interview.
LMA chief executive Richard Bevan said: "Sepp Blatter's remarks are extremely ill-considered. There are no benefits to clubs or players in what he said. It just confirms he is out of touch with the issues of professional football. The transfer system is underwritten and regulated by Fifa. It is the cornerstone of developing talent right up the football pyramid.
"We also have the important issue of sanctity of contract. Ignoring the nonsensical comparison of a player on £120,000 a week to a modern slave, it is a very poor choice of words."
"Sanctity of contracts is fundamental to all commercial and employment relationships in that a contract freely entered into is honoured. In sport it is not always the case but Mr Blatter should know better."
United are adamant Ronaldo will not be leaving even though the Portugal winger continues to send out mixed messages about his future. Real Madrid have made no secret of their admiration for the gifted international, who is recovering from ankle surgery after playing in Euro 2008.
A United spokesperson said: "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."
Bevan added: "Ronaldo freely contracted to become a Manchester United player over a period of time. He has become an asset of the club. It is a mutual benefit. The club are successful, he benefits from the profile of the overall team performance as it gives him the ability to enhance his reputation in the most high-profile league in the world.
"He is also highly rewarded. All of that is created and sustained by a contract."
The PFA believes Blatter's use of the word "slavery" is offensive. Deputy chief executive Mick McGuire said: "It is so inappropriate that he loses any credibility in his argument. There are some words that should never be used in such a context. The word 'slavery' gets people wound up and destroys any argument that he has.
"I think he does it for effect. By focusing on the Ronaldo's future it creates the greatest interest. But I believe he does have a responsibility, considering his position, to look at things in a more measured and controlled way."
Uefa has played down Blatter's suggestions and communications director William Gaillard said: "It would be useful to remind people that slaves in all of the slavery systems never earned a wage. 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."
When Blatter was asked if he felt sympathy for Ronaldo's current position, he said: "Absolutely. Definitely as a footballer and the Fifa president, I'm very in sympathy with the player Ronaldo." He added: "I think in football there is too much modern slavery, transferring players or buying players here and there, and putting them somewhere. And we are trying now to intervene in such cases."
The full article contains 660 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
