SOCCER
Can United terminate Cristiano’s contract?
According to sources United wants to end its legal case against Ronaldo “as quickly as feasible.”
Following Cristiano Ronaldo’s explosive, unapproved interview, Manchester United claims to have “initiated appropriate steps.” However, according to sources, they are looking to sever their relationship with Ronaldo and may even file a lawsuit for contract infringement.
What can Manchester United do to terminate the player
David Seligman, a football attorney, feels that if United and Ronaldo’s relationship is irreparable and he has breached the terms of his pact, United might terminate Ronaldo’s contract but prevent him from joining another side.
“Man United would likely have ground to terminate Ronaldo’s contract. Material breach of the implied duty of trust and confidence, as well as express terms regarding bringing the club into disrepute. FIFA rules/jurisprudence on player registrations are not all that simple. United could terminate the contract but retain player registration for the purposes of compensation if termination is caused by Ronaldo’s conduct,”the lawyer tweeted.
The club is looking to terminate the 37-year-old’s contract, which extends till June, just after the final segment of the interview with Piers Morgan was broadcast on Thursday in the UK. However, United chose to wait until the full extent of Ronaldo’s remarks were publicly disclosed before deciding on their response. According to further sources, United has hired attorneys to investigate the viability of suing Ronaldo for contract violation.
Erik Ten Hag doesn’t want Cristiano back with the team
In addition, Erik Ten Hag, the team’s manager, notified club executives, including co-chairman Joel Glazer, chief executive Richard Arnold, and football director John Murtough, at a meeting on Monday that Ronaldo is not welcome back to United’s Carrington training facility following the World Cup in Qatar.
A club statement released on Friday remarked: “Manchester United has initiated appropriate steps this morning in response to Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent interview. We wont be making further comment until this process reaches its conclusion.”
The club was angered by Ronaldo’s comments that they had made “zero progress” since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013 and that he “doesn’t respect” Ten Hag.
He also said that Ten Hag forced him to decline a substitution against Tottenham Hotspur in October, which resulted in his suspension for the 1-1 draw against Chelsea.
At 11 p.m. local time on Friday, Ronaldo and the rest of the Portugal squad are scheduled to fly into Qatar from Lisbon, where he has been preparing with Portugal. On November 24, Portugal will play Ghana in their World Cup opener.