Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes Fifa president Sepp Blatter’s slavery remarks regarding Cristiano Ronaldo were ‘unfortunate’

Blatter claimed clubs that held players against their will amounted to modern day slavery, after commenting on the Red Devils’ refusal to allow Ronaldo his ‘dream’ move to Real Madrid.

Ferguson, speaking ahead of Sunday’s 2-1 pre-season victory over Portsmouth in Nigeria, feels Blatter’s remarks were needless and has even hinted he may be regretting involving himself in the issue.

Ronaldo only put pen-to-paper on a fresh five-year contract with United in April 2007 and Ferguson fails to see how high-earning players could possibly be compared to slaves.

Unfortunate
“It was an unfortunate statement from someone in such a position,” said Ferguson.

“Slavery was abolished many years ago. These days footballers can earn five or six million pounds a year.

“I do not want to dignify this kind of statement with a response but when you consider the history of slavery, it was a very unfortunate statement.”

Scource: Sky Sports