Ten Hag in huge swipe at Ronaldo
ERIK TEN HAG has branded Cristiano Ronaldo’s behaviour ‘unacceptable’ after the Manchester United star left Old Trafford before the end of Sunday’s friendly against Rayo Vallecano. Ronaldo (below)was taken off at half-time and walked out of the stadium ten minutes before full-time without his manager’s permission. Despite suggestions that United didn’t have a problem over Ronaldo’s early exit, Ten Hag criticised the player’s conduct in an interview with Dutch television. Asked if he condoned it, the new United boss said: ‘Definitely not. It’s unacceptable for everybody. ‘There were a lot more who went home. I tell them it’s unacceptable and that we are a team and that we have to stay until the end.’ It is the first time Ten Hag has turned on Ronaldo in a summer that has seen the 37-year-old miss most of preseason after asking to leave. The club insist Ronaldo is not for sale and Ten Hag says the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is part of his plans — but still needs to prove he is a top player. ‘I think he can (fit in),’ said Ten Hag. ‘To start with he has to get fit. ‘He’s just started. He’s a fantastic football player. He’s proved it so many times, but you can always be judged on what you are now.’
THE SFA are to launch a new national women’s cup competition with both semi-finals and final taking place at Hampden next year. SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell said: ‘This has been a momentous week for women’s football across Europe due to the record-breaking success of the UEFA Women’s Euros. We will be inspired by the achievements of the Lionesses, just as many girls and women in Scotland will have been inspired by the players on show throughout the tournament.’
FIFA have fined the SFA for Scotland fans letting off flares during the World Cup play-off defeat to Ukraine. World football’s governing body demanded £1,712. Last year, the SFA were hit with an £8,024 fine because Scotland fans booed the Israeli national anthem during a World Cup qualifier and displayed an ‘inappropriate flag.’