Blatter backs down on 'slavery' comments

As the conjecture over Cristiano Ronaldo's future intensifies, FIFA president Sepp Blatter has backed down from his implicit support of the Manchester United striker's move to Real Madrid.

Blatter was quoted by the press as calling Ronaldo a 'slave' after United indicated that they were prepared to hold him at Old Trafford against his will.

“I have never said that Ronaldo is a slave," Blatter told reporters as he attempted to clarify his position on the Ronaldo transfer. "What I said is slavery is with the young people - youngsters that European clubs are trying to get, 13, 14 and 15 year old young boys - and bring them to the big clubs. This is my expression, this is modern slavery.”

Blatter went on to say that his supposed comments about Ronaldo were a distortion of the facts by the press. The FIFA head also indicated that the governing body would not become involved in arbitration over Ronaldo's future, and that the striker would have to negotiate a compromise with his club.

Meanwhile Real Madrid have confirmed thatstriker  Rafael van der Vaart will be joining the club from German club Hamburg for a reported fee of 8 million Euros.