ZIDANE BAFFLED BY RONALDO BEING BOOED

MADRID: Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane does not under stand why some fans have turned on Cristiano Ronaldo as the Portuguese striker struggles to end a barren streak.

Ronaldo, who along with team mate Gareth Bale is on the short list for the 2016 Ballon d’or for the world’s best player, has failed to score in four straight games at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium a first in his Real career since joining in 2009. He was jeered during Sunday’s 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao even though the result returned Zidane’s side to the top of the table. “I don’t understand the jeers but at the same time, I was also jeered and it can happen,” Zidane said “The public demands a lot from the players and the Bernabeu is special. Cristiano knows that and is not concerned by it.”

FIFA FINES SPANISH FA FOR BREACHING RULES MADRID: FIFA have fined Spain’s football federation for breaking rules governing the internation al transfer and registration of minors by allowing Atletico and Real Madrid to sign underage players from other nations.

FIFA’S Disciplinary Committee ruled on Tuesday that the Spanish federation must pay 220,000 Swiss francs for breaching article 19 of their regulations on the status and transfers of players.

WATFORD PROBE ‘FAKE BANK LETTER’ CLAIM LONDON: Watford are being investigated by English footbal authorities over allegations that the club falsified financial infor mation before its current owner completed his takeover.

The Football League announced an inquiry into claims that a banking letter allegedly forged to appear to be written by HSBC, was submit ted when the Italian business man Gino Pozzo took full con trol of the club from his father Giampaolo in 2014.