Real warns Makelele; Blues back off

MADRID (Reuters) -- French midfielder Claude Makelele could ruin his career if he continues his pay rebellion against Real Madrid, the club's sporting director Jorge Valdano said on Friday.

The 30-year-old international, one of the lowest paid players in the Real squad, has refused to train since Wednesday because the club are unwilling to grant him a pay rise or to consider selling him to English premier league club Chelsea.

"Makelele is under contract to us and we want all our players to meet their obligations," Valdano was quoted as saying by Marca.com.

"What he has done is the most basic act of indiscipline for any player. If he continues like this he will be putting his sporting career in danger."

The prospect of Makelele joining Chelsea receded further on Friday when the London club's chief executive Trevor Birch told reporters at Stamford Bridge: "As far as Chelsea are concerned there is no movement whatsoever on a transfer for Claude Makelele.

"I would say we are taking a step back from it all. There has been a lot of activity perhaps, a lot of noise, but only from his agents."

Makelele's agent Marc Roger said on Thursday that his client was unable to train at the moment and had been told to rest by his doctors.

"Everyone knows that Makelele is in a very bad psychological shape at the moment and very anxious," he told Antena 3 television.

Makelele turned up at Real's training ground on Friday to be examined by club medical staff, who later said that the player "had suffered a slight emotional upset caused by his personal and professional situation."

They advised that the player begin light training again on Saturday, but that he should not play in Sunday's pre-season match against Valencia at the Mestalla.

They also recommended that he should not link up with the French squad to prepare for next week's friendly international against Switzerland.

Chelsea interest

Earlier this week Roger told Valdano that Chelsea were interested in signing Makelele but Real's sporting director insisted the club had no intention of letting the player go.

"We were told of Chelsea's interest," said Valdano. "At no time have we received an official offer for the player, only a letter asking us to negotiate.

"We planned to meet representatives from Chelsea on Monday, but the player's decision not to train changed everything and we are now taking disciplinary action against him."

Valdano said the club would not give in to the player's demands.

"Real Madrid have taken a position and we are not going to move from it. We may feel uncomfortable about the situation but not about our response to it."

Spanish media reported on Friday that Real have also informed football's governing body, FIFA, of the player's stance.

 

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