Blatters ronaldo remarks prompt angry response

Blatter, who was forced by the reaction to apologise while insisting he meant no disrespect, was asked at the Oxford University Union in England on Friday for his opinion on Ronaldo and Barcelona's World Player of the Year Lionel Messi. The year-old Swiss said they were both exceptional athletes but added that, unlike Messi, Ronaldo resembled "a commander on the field of play".

He then rose from his chair and strutted on the stage in military fashion in apparent imitation of the Portuguese. I wish Mr. Blatter health and a long life, with the certainty that he will continue to witness, as he deserves, the successes of his favourite teams and players. Earlier, Real coach Carlo Ancelotti said club president Florentino Perez had written to Blatter to ask for clarification of remarks the Italian said showed "a lack of respect to a very serious and very professional player".

Real later published Perez's letter on their website www.

The FIFA chief's comments were "unfortunate and unacceptable" and had caused "enormous disappointment" to the club and their fans, Perez wrote.

The FIFA chief's comments were "unfortunate and unacceptable" and had caused "enormous disappointment" to the club and their fans, Perez wrote. Blatter's admission that he preferred Messi over Ronaldo could also affect the voting for the World Player award, due to be announced in January, the construction magnate added. Blatter, who also referred to Messi as "Leonard" during his appearance in Oxford, wrote in his reply to Perez that he had been surprised by the reaction.

It was never my intention to annoy or show a lack of respect to Real Madrid, or one of their players or their fans. He is showing every day he is a great player and that he respects everyone. Selected edition. Sign in. Read full article Reuters. Tue, Oct 29, , PM.