Sir Alex Ferguson will urge the Manchester United board to put an end to the soap opera surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo's future by sanctioning talks that could raise his wages to £150,000 a week.
Chief executive David Gill has steadfastly refused to buckle in the face of continued pressure from Real Madrid but Ronaldo's advisers believe the problem can be resolved by a simple renegotiation of the four-year deal he signed last summer.
That would involve increasing his pay from £120,000 a week and adding an improved image rights package.
In the latest twist, Spanish sources claimed yesterday that Real, notwithstanding an official complaint to FIFA from vexed United, had tabled a £70million offer for the 23-year-old Portugal winger - the figure widely believed in Spain to match a release clause in Ronaldo's contract.
United vehemently deny such a clause exists and Ferguson, who has stayed in the shadows and kept his counsel as Ronaldo has flirted with Real, now wants the issue resolved.
Ronaldo is due to clock in at Carrington for pre-season training three weeks after Portugal play their last match - which would be late July if they reach the European Championship Final.
His closest advisers believe Ferguson will soon support a more pragmatic approach from the United board to ensure his greatest asset is onside well before the new season gets under way.
Real's shameless pursuit of Ronaldo was not unexpected and the player's camp clearly expected him to be offered a pay rise, especially in the light of a 42-goal wonder season that saw him scoop all the player of the year awards.
His advisers were utterly dismayed when Gill made it plain that there would be no negotiations this summer.
Ferguson will be disappointed by comments from Manchester United legend Eric Cantona, who believes Ronaldo should quit United if his heart is no longer at the club.
But the French star, who quit Old Trafford and all football in 1997 aged 30, says Ronaldo should not move for the money.
Speaking at the UK launch of partouche-betting.com, Cantona said: 'Maybe Ronaldo feels he has achieved everything here (at United) and doesn't find excitement and motivation for next year. 'If it's this reason maybe it's the right decision to leave. But if it's for other reasons I think it is the wrong decision. If he leaves for more money, he is wrong.'
However, in the eyes of the Portuguese camp, a little give and take and an adjustment to Ronaldo's deal which reflects his impact this season, would settle the matter.
Gill's hard-line stance has not gone down well with Ronaldo's advisers, who are convinced the player is quite happy to remain at Old Trafford despite some of his ambiguous musings on Real reported in various quarters.
Privately, they admit he was careless to talk of a desire to play for Real. It has been misconstrued, wilfully or otherwise, as an ambition to be fulfilled now when, they insist, Ronaldo was looking further down the line.
But the drama is in danger of becoming a crisis, with Team Ronaldo feeling slighted that, in their eyes, his huge contribution to the Champions League and Barclays Premier League double has been all but waved away.
United are furious at Real's mischief-making, although the Spaniards yesterday insisted disingenuously that there was no cast-iron evidence of any wrongdoing to put before any FIFA disciplinary tribunal.
Real president Ramon Calderon said: 'It is United's right (to complain) but we have not done anything wrong and we are not going to do anything. It is a matter for the player and his club.'
That again has been interpreted as a hint over the player's contract situation. Spanish newspaper Marca, widely regarded a s t h e Bernabeu house journal, stirred the simmering pot with a suggestion that Real have put together a £70m world record offer to tempt United into selling Ronaldo to them.
Contrary to the belief in Madrid, there is no buy-out clause for even that staggering amount in Ronaldo's contract.
United follow a strict policy of excluding any such clause from their deals with players.
Ferguson, who persuaded Ronaldo to stay despite the furore over his infamous World Cup wink as Wayne Rooney was sent off two years ago, has yet to intervene but will be loath to lose the game's most potent talent on a point of principle - albeit one he fully understands.
But while the odds are on Ronaldo kicking off next season in red rather than white, the impasse is damaging enough to give Real some hope that a ridiculous, bankdemolishing bid would make even United think twice.
Especially if the Old Trafford hierarchy suspect this whole, tiresome scenario could be reprised next summer.
Chief executive David Gill has steadfastly refused to buckle in the face of continued pressure from Real Madrid but Ronaldo's advisers believe the problem can be resolved by a simple renegotiation of the four-year deal he signed last summer.
That would involve increasing his pay from £120,000 a week and adding an improved image rights package.
In the latest twist, Spanish sources claimed yesterday that Real, notwithstanding an official complaint to FIFA from vexed United, had tabled a £70million offer for the 23-year-old Portugal winger - the figure widely believed in Spain to match a release clause in Ronaldo's contract.
United vehemently deny such a clause exists and Ferguson, who has stayed in the shadows and kept his counsel as Ronaldo has flirted with Real, now wants the issue resolved.
Ronaldo is due to clock in at Carrington for pre-season training three weeks after Portugal play their last match - which would be late July if they reach the European Championship Final.
His closest advisers believe Ferguson will soon support a more pragmatic approach from the United board to ensure his greatest asset is onside well before the new season gets under way.
Real's shameless pursuit of Ronaldo was not unexpected and the player's camp clearly expected him to be offered a pay rise, especially in the light of a 42-goal wonder season that saw him scoop all the player of the year awards.
His advisers were utterly dismayed when Gill made it plain that there would be no negotiations this summer.
Ferguson will be disappointed by comments from Manchester United legend Eric Cantona, who believes Ronaldo should quit United if his heart is no longer at the club.
But the French star, who quit Old Trafford and all football in 1997 aged 30, says Ronaldo should not move for the money.
Speaking at the UK launch of partouche-betting.com, Cantona said: 'Maybe Ronaldo feels he has achieved everything here (at United) and doesn't find excitement and motivation for next year. 'If it's this reason maybe it's the right decision to leave. But if it's for other reasons I think it is the wrong decision. If he leaves for more money, he is wrong.'
However, in the eyes of the Portuguese camp, a little give and take and an adjustment to Ronaldo's deal which reflects his impact this season, would settle the matter.
Gill's hard-line stance has not gone down well with Ronaldo's advisers, who are convinced the player is quite happy to remain at Old Trafford despite some of his ambiguous musings on Real reported in various quarters.
Privately, they admit he was careless to talk of a desire to play for Real. It has been misconstrued, wilfully or otherwise, as an ambition to be fulfilled now when, they insist, Ronaldo was looking further down the line.
But the drama is in danger of becoming a crisis, with Team Ronaldo feeling slighted that, in their eyes, his huge contribution to the Champions League and Barclays Premier League double has been all but waved away.
United are furious at Real's mischief-making, although the Spaniards yesterday insisted disingenuously that there was no cast-iron evidence of any wrongdoing to put before any FIFA disciplinary tribunal.
Real president Ramon Calderon said: 'It is United's right (to complain) but we have not done anything wrong and we are not going to do anything. It is a matter for the player and his club.'
That again has been interpreted as a hint over the player's contract situation. Spanish newspaper Marca, widely regarded a s t h e Bernabeu house journal, stirred the simmering pot with a suggestion that Real have put together a £70m world record offer to tempt United into selling Ronaldo to them.
Contrary to the belief in Madrid, there is no buy-out clause for even that staggering amount in Ronaldo's contract.
United follow a strict policy of excluding any such clause from their deals with players.
Ferguson, who persuaded Ronaldo to stay despite the furore over his infamous World Cup wink as Wayne Rooney was sent off two years ago, has yet to intervene but will be loath to lose the game's most potent talent on a point of principle - albeit one he fully understands.
But while the odds are on Ronaldo kicking off next season in red rather than white, the impasse is damaging enough to give Real some hope that a ridiculous, bankdemolishing bid would make even United think twice.
Especially if the Old Trafford hierarchy suspect this whole, tiresome scenario could be reprised next summer.
UEFA have confirmed 157 people were arrested after violence flared before, during, and after Germany's Euro 2008 victory against Poland on Sunday.
Supporters clashed in the Austrian city of Klagenfurt although UEFA played down reports of injuries.
A spokesman for UEFA said on Monday: "Klagenfurt reported 157 arrests during the match, mainly Germany supporters who were arrested in the city centre but the police said the situation cleared rapidly, nobody was injured and no material damage occurred."
European football's governing body denied suggestions the local police were ill-prepared for the number of fans which descended on Klagenfurt.
The spokesman added: "We have gone through all kinds of scenarios with Swiss and Austrian police, with the help of European police forces around the continent.
"There is no specific plan for every match. We think the overall concept works
well.
"Sensitive matches are dotted around the map of Austria and Switzerland, you
can turn anything into a sensitive match if you think twice about it.
"We are not particularly worried about a single episode. We have a global
concept we apply, match by match and city by city. It is well rehearsed and we
hope also for every match it will work."
Serbia's Ana Ivanovic claimed her first grand slam title on Saturday after easing to victory against Dinara Safina in the final of the French Open.Ivanovic, runner up at Roland Garros 12 months ago, went one better in 2008 by posting a 6-4 6-3 victory over the 13th-seeded Russian on Philippe Chatrier Court.The 20-year-old from Belgrade was always in control of the match, and received the Suzanne Lenglen Cup from recently retired Justine Henin - her conqueror in the 2007 final.
Ivanovic's victory consolidates her impending elevation to the top of the women's game. She will be confirmed as the new world number one when the latest rankings are released on Monday, replacing Maria Sharapova.
Walking out on court, Ivanovic - with two grand slam final appearances under her belt - appeared the calmer of the two, with Safina, making her bow at this level of competition, noticeably the more preoccupied.Ivanovic, who finally found top gear in this tournament during her spirited semi-final win over compatriot Jelena Jankovic, took the early initiative by breaking the grand slam final debutant in the first game.The number two seed's forehand has been firing well at this tournament, and she quickly had Safina on the rack, forcing break point and then converting the chance as her opponent fired wide with a forehand.The next three games went with serve, although the feeling still remained that Safina - the winner of the German Open in Berlin last month - was the more fragile of the two.The next game confirmed that fragility, Safina's service game totally deserting her as Ivanovic broke to love to move 4-1 ahead.
safina
A dejected Dinara Safina
But after losing that second break, Safina won eight of the next 10 points to force her way back into the set.The green shoots of recovery started to show in the sixth game, Safina finding a supreme forehand winner to prevent falling 5-1 behind at 30-40. She then brought up break point with a confident volley at the net before Ivanovic netted to allow Safina to break back. A service game to love followed as the Russian closed to 3-4.
Safina battled back again in the next game, recovering from 0-40 down to win five points on the bounce to get the set back on serve.
But the pendulum swung in the next. Both players were now making mistakes, but two shanked forehands by Safina stood out as needless errors, the second of which handed Ivanovic break point, which she duly converted with a forehand winner.
Ivanovic wrapped up the first set after 45 minutes on court, spurning one set point before sealing the opener at the second time of asking as Safina fired long.
The second set went with service for two games but Ivanovic stepped it up in the third, her ability to defend Safina's service game again coming to the fore.
The game was illuminated by a thrilling 26-stoke rally that went the way of Ivanovic despite the fact she was on the back foot for much of the point as Safina rained down smashes, forcing the second seed to defend frantically from behind the baseline.
Break point duly arrived for Ivanovic, who was by now reading Safina's serve with ease, and she converted the chance with one of her most potent weapons, a cross-court forehand winner that has been a feature of her run to the final at Roland Garros.
A service game to love had Ivanovic well in control at 3-1, although after Safina battled from a set and 2-5 to oust both Maria Sharapova and Elena Dementieva in earlier rounds, the Serbian will unlikely have been resting easy at this point.
And so it proved as Ivanovic was forced to battle all the way in the next game. The 20-year-old had to fend off break point as her first service began to misfire, but eventually she moved 4-2 ahead when Safina fired wide on her forehand.
A further thriller awaited in the next game as Safina survived falling 2-5 behind as an Ivanovic backhand down the line was ruled marginally wide on break point, while two double faults by Safina also handed her opponent a second break point, which she failed to take.
Finally Safina held for 3-4, but Ivanovic appeared none the worse for wear in the next game as she held with ease to leave Safina serving to stay in the match.But Safina could not raise her game when it mattered most, as Ivanovic found the shots at the right time to break to love and seal her first grand slam crown.
Ivanovic's victory consolidates her impending elevation to the top of the women's game. She will be confirmed as the new world number one when the latest rankings are released on Monday, replacing Maria Sharapova.Walking out on court, Ivanovic - with two grand slam final appearances under her belt - appeared the calmer of the two, with Safina, making her bow at this level of competition, noticeably the more preoccupied.Ivanovic, who finally found top gear in this tournament during her spirited semi-final win over compatriot Jelena Jankovic, took the early initiative by breaking the grand slam final debutant in the first game.The number two seed's forehand has been firing well at this tournament, and she quickly had Safina on the rack, forcing break point and then converting the chance as her opponent fired wide with a forehand.The next three games went with serve, although the feeling still remained that Safina - the winner of the German Open in Berlin last month - was the more fragile of the two.The next game confirmed that fragility, Safina's service game totally deserting her as Ivanovic broke to love to move 4-1 ahead.
safina
A dejected Dinara Safina
But after losing that second break, Safina won eight of the next 10 points to force her way back into the set.The green shoots of recovery started to show in the sixth game, Safina finding a supreme forehand winner to prevent falling 5-1 behind at 30-40. She then brought up break point with a confident volley at the net before Ivanovic netted to allow Safina to break back. A service game to love followed as the Russian closed to 3-4.
Safina battled back again in the next game, recovering from 0-40 down to win five points on the bounce to get the set back on serve.
But the pendulum swung in the next. Both players were now making mistakes, but two shanked forehands by Safina stood out as needless errors, the second of which handed Ivanovic break point, which she duly converted with a forehand winner.
Ivanovic wrapped up the first set after 45 minutes on court, spurning one set point before sealing the opener at the second time of asking as Safina fired long.
The second set went with service for two games but Ivanovic stepped it up in the third, her ability to defend Safina's service game again coming to the fore.
The game was illuminated by a thrilling 26-stoke rally that went the way of Ivanovic despite the fact she was on the back foot for much of the point as Safina rained down smashes, forcing the second seed to defend frantically from behind the baseline.
Break point duly arrived for Ivanovic, who was by now reading Safina's serve with ease, and she converted the chance with one of her most potent weapons, a cross-court forehand winner that has been a feature of her run to the final at Roland Garros.
A service game to love had Ivanovic well in control at 3-1, although after Safina battled from a set and 2-5 to oust both Maria Sharapova and Elena Dementieva in earlier rounds, the Serbian will unlikely have been resting easy at this point.
And so it proved as Ivanovic was forced to battle all the way in the next game. The 20-year-old had to fend off break point as her first service began to misfire, but eventually she moved 4-2 ahead when Safina fired wide on her forehand.
A further thriller awaited in the next game as Safina survived falling 2-5 behind as an Ivanovic backhand down the line was ruled marginally wide on break point, while two double faults by Safina also handed her opponent a second break point, which she failed to take.
Finally Safina held for 3-4, but Ivanovic appeared none the worse for wear in the next game as she held with ease to leave Safina serving to stay in the match.But Safina could not raise her game when it mattered most, as Ivanovic found the shots at the right time to break to love and seal her first grand slam crown.
Fabio Capello's heart says Spain but his head appears to say Germany. His love for the way the Spanish play leads his heart to say they have the talento but the Germans, as someone in Madrid recently remarked, also have talante, which means character, as England's manager understands only too well.
'When I was at Real Madrid we spoke a lot about the problems of the national team,' says Capello, who will be here tomorrow to watch Croatia meet Austria.
'Spain always go into a tournament with one of the best squads but never even arrive in the semi-finals. There is some kind of fear there.'
Going into the European Championship, the Spanish do look wonderful. Their squads oozes class and ability. They possess arguably the finest striker in the world in Fernando Torres, a midfield most managers would kill for and an experienced defence.
The names would be on every club chairman's wish list. Cesc Fabregas, David Villa, Xavi, Carles Puyol, Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas. 'It is incredible,' says Capello.
'In Fabregas, Xavi and Andres Iniesta they have the best midfield in Europe and the team with the most technical quality.'
Yet they have the reputation of serial chokers. A reputation for failing to perform for their country in the manner they do for their clubs. Sound familiar? 'For some time we have compared them to England,' says Capello.
Rather like England, it is more than 40 years since Spain last won a major tournament, in their case the European Championship in 1964. Since then, the closest they have come is the final in 1984, when they were beaten by Michel Platini's France in Paris.
On this occasion, however, they should go into their opening game against Russia in Innsbruck on Tuesday full of confidence.
After a difficult start to the qualifying campaign that saw them lose away to both Northern Ireland and Sweden, they have come through 16 games without loss.
In the end, they won their group and Luis Aragones then adopted a risky strategy of playing friendlies against Italy and France to build confidence even more. It worked; Spain won both matches 1-0. That could prove significant if they win Group D and meet either team in the last eight.
But Capello points out their group is not easy. 'Russia, Sweden and the defending champions, Greece. There could be another surprise.'
Germans do not do surprises. They always seem to qualify and never under-achieve in tournaments. 'When their players represent the national team they are very, very strong,' says Capello.
'They have confidence. Sometimes they lose but they always play to win. They have some strong club sides, but with the national team they always appear to play even better.
'Some would say they have not been at their strongest in the last few years but they reached the final of the World Cup in 2002 and the semi-finals in 2006. And I think they are a better team now than they were in 2006.'
Every tournament needs a 'group of death' and the one comprising Italy, France, Holland and Romania certainly merits the title.
Who will go through? Capello agonises before plumping for Italy and France but adds: 'Watch Romania. They are very technical, very dangerous. They are a very good team and could spring a real surprise.'
Capello sees Portugal as comfortable winners of a group that also comprises the Czechs, Swiss and Turkey. But they lack a striker of Torres's quality - Nuno Gomes is not in the same class - but they can rely on Cristiano Ronaldo's goals.
'They have a top, top manager in Luiz Felipe Scolari,' says Capello. 'I know him very well.'
Good enough to go one better than 2004 and actually win the final? Good enough to add the European Championship with Portugal to the World Cup he won with Brazil?
Perhaps before heading off to Chelsea. Good enough to beat Spain in what could be one hell of a final here on June 29? Once again, the heart and the head are in conflict.
'When I was at Real Madrid we spoke a lot about the problems of the national team,' says Capello, who will be here tomorrow to watch Croatia meet Austria.
'Spain always go into a tournament with one of the best squads but never even arrive in the semi-finals. There is some kind of fear there.'
Going into the European Championship, the Spanish do look wonderful. Their squads oozes class and ability. They possess arguably the finest striker in the world in Fernando Torres, a midfield most managers would kill for and an experienced defence.
The names would be on every club chairman's wish list. Cesc Fabregas, David Villa, Xavi, Carles Puyol, Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas. 'It is incredible,' says Capello.
'In Fabregas, Xavi and Andres Iniesta they have the best midfield in Europe and the team with the most technical quality.'
Yet they have the reputation of serial chokers. A reputation for failing to perform for their country in the manner they do for their clubs. Sound familiar? 'For some time we have compared them to England,' says Capello.
Rather like England, it is more than 40 years since Spain last won a major tournament, in their case the European Championship in 1964. Since then, the closest they have come is the final in 1984, when they were beaten by Michel Platini's France in Paris.
On this occasion, however, they should go into their opening game against Russia in Innsbruck on Tuesday full of confidence.
After a difficult start to the qualifying campaign that saw them lose away to both Northern Ireland and Sweden, they have come through 16 games without loss.
In the end, they won their group and Luis Aragones then adopted a risky strategy of playing friendlies against Italy and France to build confidence even more. It worked; Spain won both matches 1-0. That could prove significant if they win Group D and meet either team in the last eight.
But Capello points out their group is not easy. 'Russia, Sweden and the defending champions, Greece. There could be another surprise.'
Germans do not do surprises. They always seem to qualify and never under-achieve in tournaments. 'When their players represent the national team they are very, very strong,' says Capello.
'They have confidence. Sometimes they lose but they always play to win. They have some strong club sides, but with the national team they always appear to play even better.
'Some would say they have not been at their strongest in the last few years but they reached the final of the World Cup in 2002 and the semi-finals in 2006. And I think they are a better team now than they were in 2006.'
Every tournament needs a 'group of death' and the one comprising Italy, France, Holland and Romania certainly merits the title.
Who will go through? Capello agonises before plumping for Italy and France but adds: 'Watch Romania. They are very technical, very dangerous. They are a very good team and could spring a real surprise.'
Capello sees Portugal as comfortable winners of a group that also comprises the Czechs, Swiss and Turkey. But they lack a striker of Torres's quality - Nuno Gomes is not in the same class - but they can rely on Cristiano Ronaldo's goals.
'They have a top, top manager in Luiz Felipe Scolari,' says Capello. 'I know him very well.'
Good enough to go one better than 2004 and actually win the final? Good enough to add the European Championship with Portugal to the World Cup he won with Brazil?
Perhaps before heading off to Chelsea. Good enough to beat Spain in what could be one hell of a final here on June 29? Once again, the heart and the head are in conflict.
