FIFA has dismissed the Red Devil’s official complaint regarding Real Madrid’s tactics involving Portuguese star winger, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Manchester United submitted the official complaint to FIFA, but details were not supplied to the public.
FIFA, which is the world’s soccer governing body released a statement on Monday June 16 regarding United’s complaint.
“From the documentation received, no breach of contract appears to have occurred yet, therefore, in accordance with the applicable practice, no kind of formal procedure has been opened by FIFA regarding this matter.”
FIFA went on to say that they have asked the Spanish Football Federation to remind Real Madrid of the potential legal ramifications of a breach of contract.
Real Madrid have denied any wrong doing on this matter.
The transfer saga of Cristiano Ronaldo, began after he had mentioned to Brazilian media that he wanted to play for Real Madrid, but only if RM were willing to reward him financially. Since then, the rumor mill hasn’t stopped.
Manchester United Football Club warned Real Madrid on May 27, 2008 to stop seeking the services of Cristiano Ronaldo. Today, the club has made good on that threat by filing an official complaint with FIFA. The details of the complaint have not been made public by the club.
Below is the official post from Manchester United website:
Reds report Real to FIFA
On 27 May, Manchester United made clear its intention to report Real Madrid to FIFA if it continued to involve itself in the future of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Unfortunately, Real Madrid has not kept its own counsel and the Club feels it has no alternative but to make a formal complaint to the world governing body, which it has done today.
The precise content and nature will remain confidential.
Communications Department,
Manchester United Limited
Why isn’tCristiano Ronaldo earning more at Manchester? This is a question that we would like to explore a little further at Cristiano Ronaldo7.com.
According to Sports Illustrated… The top ten highest paid football (soccer) players, not including endorsements are:
1. Kaká (AC Milan): $14.9 million per year
2. Ronaldinho (FC Barcelona): $14.1 million
3. Frank Lampard (Chelsea): $13.5 million
4. John Terry (Chelsea): $13.5 million
5. Fernando Torres (Liverpool): $13.1 million
6. Andriy Shevchenko (Chelsea): $12.9 million
7. Michael Ballack (Chelsea): $12.9 million 8. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United): $12.7 million
9. Thierry Henry (FC Barcelona): $12.7 million
10. Steven Gerrard (Liverpool): $12.7 million
Now lets look at other major sports and see where player salaries rank.
Highest paid baseball players 2007: source: wikipedia
1. Alex Rodriguez New York Yankees $ 27,708,525
2. Jason Giambi New York Yankees $ 23,428,571
3. Derek Jeter New York Yankees $ 21,600,000
4. Manny Ramírez Boston Red Sox $ 17,016,381
5. Todd Helton Colorado Rockies $ 16,600,000
6. Andy Pettitte New York Yankees $ 16,000,000
7. Bartolo Colón Los Angeles Angels $ 16,000,000
8. Jason Schmidt Los Angeles Dodgers $ 15,703,946
9. Jim Thome Chicago White Sox $ 15,666,667 10. Bobby Abreu New York Yankees $ 15,600,000
National Hockey League Top ten highest paid players: 2007/2008: source…
1. Daniel Briere (Philadelphia Flyers) $10 million
2. Scott Gomez (New York Rangers) $10 million
3. Thomas Vanek (Buffalo Sabres) $10 million
4. Jaromir Jagr (New York Rangers) $8.36 million
5. Kimmo Timonen (Philadelphia Flyers) $8 million
6. Brad Richards (Dallas Stars) $7.8 million
7. Nicklas Lidstrom (Detroit Red Wings) $7.6 million
8. Zdeno Chara (Boston Bruins) $7.5 million
9. Patrik Elias (New Jersey Devils) $7.5 million
10.Ryan Smyth (Colorado Avalanche) $7.5 million
1. Tiger Woods
Pro Golf
Last Year’s Rank: 1
$11,941,827 - Salary
$100,000,000 - endorsements
$111,941,827 - total
2. Oscar De La Hoya
Boxing
Last Year’s Rank: NR
$53,000,000 - salary
$2,000,000 - endorsements
$55,000,000 - total
3. Phil Mickelson
Pro Golf
Last Year’s Rank: 2
$4,256,505 - salary
$47,000,000 - endorsements
$51,256,505 - total
4. Shaquille O’Neal
Miami Heat (NBA)
Last Year’s Rank: 3
$20,000,000 - salary
$15,000,000 - endorsements
$35,000,000 - total
5. Kobe Bryant
Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)
Last Year’s Rank: 4
$17,718,750 - salary
$16,000,000 - endorsements
$33,718,750 - total
6. LeBron James
Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA)
Last Year’s Rank: 6
$5,828,089 - salary
$25,000,000 - endorsements
$30,828,089 - total
7. Kevin Garnett
Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA)
Last Year’s Rank: 11
$21,000,000 -salary
$8,000,000 - endorsements
$29,000,000 - total
8. Derek Jeter
New York Yankees (MLB)
Last Year’s Rank: 7
$22,000,000 - salary
$7,000,000 - endorsements
$29,000,000 - total
9. Alex Rodriguez
New York Yankees (MLB)
Last Year’s Rank: 8
$22,000,000 - salary
$6,000,000 - endorsements
$28,000,000 - total
10.Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Auto Racing
Last Year’s Rank: 9
$7,111,735 - salary
$20,000,000 - endorsements
$27,111,735 - total
Although Cristiano Ronaldo is the best footballer on the planet, his salary isn’t in the top 50 of highest paid athletes. Furthermore, his salary is only a few million higher than the highest paid hockey player, and although we love hockey, there is a limited global appeal to the sport.
Is Crisitiano Ronaldo’s alleged discontent at Manchester due to the fact that although he has been the best football player for the last couple of years, he earns less than players with 1/10 the talent? When footballers like Andriy Shevchenko earn more per year, what message is Manchester United sending Cristiano Ronaldo?
Cristiano Ronaldo is not only one of the best football players this year, but in our opinion, the best ever. Manchester United should be telling the world that they are willing to make him the highest paid footballer ever.
Madrid, on the other hand,have said that they believe he’s the best and are willing to pay him handsomely.
We want Cristiano Ronaldo to stay at Manchester, but we also think it’s time for Manchester to rally behind Cristiano and pay him what he’s worth. Otherwise, Cristiano Ronaldo may be on his way to warmer climes.
