UEFA President Platini embarrassed by fees

Soccer Betting Lines

07/02/2009 - Nyon, Switzerland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - UEFA President Michel Platini has again spoken out against the escalation of transfer fees after admitting he is "embarrassed" by Cristiano Ronaldo's $131 million move to Real Madrid.

World and European player of the year Ronaldo is the headline signing made by the Spanish giants this summer after joining from Manchester United for a world record fee.

However, Real have not stopped there as they have spent a combined 200million on Ronaldo, Brazil star Kaka, Valencia defender Raul Albiol and Lyon and France striker Karim Benzema.

Fellow France forward Franck Ribery has also been linked with a $57.5 million move to the Bernabeu and Platini is concerned at the massive outlay made by Real so far in the close season.

"Ronaldo's transfer stood out for me, but if Real have guarantees from the banks," he told L'Equipe.

"On a personal note, I don't understand how anyone can spend [$131 million] on a player. I'm embarrassed.

"But I remember the Maradona transfer from Barcelona to Napoli [in 1984]. This would be the equivalent of [$10.5] million and I found that vulgar. I think there is something wrong there.

"I don't like that and even less given the fact that today players sign contracts only to then go and break them.

"But, as I said, if clubs have the money, what can I do?"

(Courtesy of sportbox.tv)

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Despite the debate that's swirling , Kurt Warner will remain the starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals, coach Dennis Green said today. The Arizona Cardinals are the +7 point underdog at online sportsbook MySportsbook.com for this Sunday's game.

Green's comment came in a statement released by the team following an ESPN report that Green decided that rookie Matt Leinart would replace Warner as starter for Sunday's game at Atlanta.

"Generally talking about the starting lineup is not something we do," Green told the AP. "However, given the speculation that was out there we want to make it clear. We're disappointed after last week, but we still expect to be a playoff football team and we fully expect Kurt Warner to be the quarterback that leads us. That has not changed."

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