Ronaldo to Real for 80 million pounds

Manchester United have accepted a world record bid of 80 million pounds ($131.7 million) from Real Madrid for Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo, the English champions said on Thursday.

United, who fended off the Spanish club’s interest in the World and European Player of the Year 12 months ago, have given the nine-time European champions the go-ahead.

“Manchester United have received a world-record, unconditional offer of 80 million pounds for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid,” the club said. “At Cristiano’s request who has again expressed his desire to leaveand after discussion with the player’s representatives, United have agreed to give Real Madrid permission to talk to the player. “Matters are expected to be concluded by June 30.”

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Rupees 450 per day, 4 to a room, players cook to cut hotel bill: National Football in Indian Premier League season

Even as the country struggles to recover from the Indian Premier League hangover, and before players begin to wonder if they are eligible for a share of Texan billionaire Allen Stanford’s English pie, here’s a slice of reality from Indian sports.

The Santosh Trophy, the country’s premier national-level football tournament which ended in Srinagar today with Punjab beating Services 1-0 in the final, was replete with battles of the football kind but it was not just the final score that had players worried.

The daily allowance handed out by the All India Football Federation was Rs 450 a day per player, including boarding and lodging. And teams, obviously, had to do things the hard way.

The Karnataka team checked into the Saleem Guest House on Dal Gate where each room is priced Rs 1,000 per day. “We had to take five rooms for the whole squad, four players to one room,” said Karnataka manager Aslam Khan. “If the boys want to get their laundry done in the hotel, they have to pay for it themselves. Even then the costs go over and above what we are given by the AIFF.” The state association provided each player an additional Rs 100 a day as pocket money.

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