Calderón: We Won't Imprison Robinho

Revisiting the Robinho transfer situation, Real Madrid president Ramón Calderón has stated that, while Robinho won't be held at the Bernabéu against his will, he still deemed his recent comments to the press to be inappropriate...

Robinho said last week that he wished to depart for Chelsea, and while he bore Madrid no ill will he felt it was time to move on.

Since then Calderón has come out swinging, saying that he will not be party to the sale of the Brazilian, and the only way that Robinho can leave will be if he pays a fee of around €45m to cover his wages and transfer valuation.

Tonight he spoke to Telecinco to clarify his position. Calderón said, "His statements were unwelcome, but ultimately nobody will be at this club against their will.

"Another thing is that the president must defend the interests of the club."

He appeared to backtrack slightly by declaring that the decision as to whether Robinho stays or goes "is down to the coach (Bernd Schuster) and the footballing manager (Pedja Mijatovic.)"

Robinho did not appear in the Supercopa for Real Madrid on Sunday evening.

Steve Michaels, Goal.com