Wednesday, 30th October, 2013
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has apologised for his comments about Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, insisting he never meant any disrespect over a "hairdresser" joke.
Blatter's speech at Oxford University last week saw the Swiss comment on how, between Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, the Portuguese "spent more at hairdressers".
Blatter went on liken Ronaldo to "a commander", mimic a military march and then publicly state his preference for Messi as the Ballon d'Or winner in last Friday's speech.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez sent a letter demanding an apology – blasting the comments as "disrespectful" – and Blatter has now replied with the same.
relatedNewsStory
"I want to clarify that for me Cristiano Ronaldo is at the same level as Messi and they are both outstanding players, each in their own way", Blatter said in the letter.
"[I am] sorry that this situation, at a university event, hurt as much and I apologise for it.
"It was never my intention to embarrass or show disrespect to Real Madrid, or one of their players or their fans."
Ronaldo and Messi are part of FIFA's 23-man shortlist for this year's Ballon d'Or award, with Gareth Bale the only British player in contention.
The full list of male coaches and male players that have been nominated was released yesterday, and the ceremony will take place in January next year in Zurich.
What are the tipsters over at Inside Bet tipping? Check out the latest tips, free bets and previews.
