Change.org received a petition to "pardon" the debt Cristiano Ronaldo allegedly owes to Spain's tax authorities and keep him at Real Madrid, according to the EP. The petition currently has 988 signatures "and has been widely criticized on social media" (EP, 6/19). ESPN.com's Mark Lovell wrote Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge dismissed reports linking Ronaldo with the Bundesliga champion. Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport reported Bayern was interested in signing Ronaldo from Madrid. Rummenigge added, "We're used to being the subject of intense transfer speculation during transfer windows. Normally we don't comment on rumors, but in this case, we would like to make our position on Cristiano Ronaldo absolutely clear: This rumor is completely unfounded and must be consigned to the realms of fantasy" (ESPN.com, 6/19).
CAUTIOUS OUTLOOK: In London, Jason Burt reported ManU is treating talk Ronaldo "has set his heart on returning to the club" with "caution." Although the club "would want to be involved" in talks if Ronaldo tries to "force his way out" of his Real Madrid contract, it is "pressing ahead" with transfer plans already in place. The club remains "cautious in the knowledge that the story could quickly end" if Real Madrid manages to appease him (TELEGRAPH, 6/19)
