Real deny any wrongdoing

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon insists Manchester United have "no evidence" that the Spanish giants have acted inappropriately…

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon insists Manchester United have "no evidence" that the Spanish giants have acted inappropriately in their pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo, but has again claimed that the player appears to want to leave Old Trafford.

Fifa confirmed yesterday they had received an official request from United to investigate the matter with the English club claiming Madrid have carried out a deliberate campaign to unsettle the 23-year-old Portugal winger, currently on duty at Euro 2008.

In defending his clubs position, however, Calderon has again courted United's ire by hinting the player wants to leave Old Trafford.

"They don't have any evidence because nothing has happened," he said today. "All there is is what the papers say and rumours that the player seems to want to leave. But at the moment a move is impossible because United don't want to sell him.

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"It's United's right (to complain) but we haven't done anything and we are not going to do anything. It's a matter between the player and his club."

Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster has denied that the Spanish giants are "obsessed" by Ronaldo but like his president has also reiterated claims that player would suit Real.

Schuster told the Spanish press that he will not let the issue overshadow his preparations for next season.

"This Cristiano matter does not worry me nor am I obsessed by it," he told Spanish newspaper Marca. "While he doesn't play for Madrid all we can do is hope, although it's clear that he would be a great signing and would adapt well to our squad."

Fifa's regulations say one club has to inform another if they are to start negotiations with one of their players, although they do not stipulate any possible sanction.

The rules do not specifically state, however, that the club that owns the player have to give consent.

United manager Alex Ferguson is adamant Ronaldo neither wants to, nor will be, leaving Old Trafford this summer.

A statement on the club's official website, www.manutd.com, yesterday read: "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."