Cristiano Ronaldo declares and Villar walks the streets
The lectern from which Cristiano Ronaldo was due to speak to the press following his declaration in court was briefly occupied by one of his image consultants. It fell to him to play a key role. Before, the player had slipped up in front of the judge: “If I wasn’t called Cristiano Ronaldo, I wouldn’t be sat here,” he blurted out. She responded that “Plenty of anonymous people have sat where you are. You are under investigation for an alleged financial crime based on the evidence provided by the public prosecutor and upon which it is my duty to make a ruling.” Such arrogance is damaging to Cristiano Ronaldo. Nobody is wishing the worst for him, but an attitude like this doesn’t help him.
Ronaldo to return to Madrid training
In a similar vein, Ronaldo is yet to offer an explanation of that A Bola front page that announced his desire to leave Spain. I suppose that it will never be spoken of, or that he will end up shooting the messenger. The Portuguese is expected at Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training ground today. He will train alone following 33 days of holiday, which begun after Portugal’s elimination from the Confederations Cup at the semi-final stage. With permission from the coach, he left before the third-place play-off. Madrid will presumably disseminate the photos from today’s training session. And on Saturday, when the squad return from the United States, he will return to the group; in peace, and later glory… I hope.
Villar to pay bail and leave prison
Meanwhile, Ángel María Villar is preparing to leave prison, along with his son and his not so holy spirit, if he pays for bail. He is expected to do so. The judge, Santiago Pedraz, retained Villar while the other accused individuals declared, to prevent him influencing them or destroying evidence. I don’t know if Villar has managed to do so. In the interim, he has left his positions with UEFA and FIFA, but the Superior Sports Ministry (CSD) has been less diligent and firm. They have suspended Villar for one year, but he continues to pull the strings, his people feel strong. On Monday, in a hurry, Villar and his son withdrew from their accounts.