Fabrizio Romano: Man City verdict, Ronaldo walkout, Barca hijack
Fabrizio Romano has revealed the latest football transfer news, with the insider detailing what’s happening at Manchester City, Cristiano Ronaldo’s shock Portugal walkout and a possible Barcelona hijack.
Manchester City verdict: Premier League clubs want a final answer
Manchester City have been found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges levelled against them by the Premier League, and Romano has revealed everyone is pushing for a quick resolution in the case.
Romano said: “In the Premier League, in general, the most important people are the top clubs in the Premier League. They hope to have a final verdict by the end of the season because they believe they are all tired of the story and they want a final answer on the sanctions as well, while Manchester City keep insisting on a daily basis about their innocence.
“So we have to wait, but for sure, as I mentioned before, the Premier League statement is a big, big story. It's a historic statement, making clear that Manchester City have been found guilty on these 115 charges.
Pep Guardiola sends powerful message to Man City fans
“Then, talking about Manchester City, just to mention two quick things. The first one, Pep Guardiola.
“Today is an important day in this saga in terms of reactions, also because of Pep. Pep Guardiola, in a public statement from his own accounts, wanted to send a message, a letter to Manchester City fans, and said: ‘I'm here for Manchester City more than ever. We will get through this together.’
Cavan Sullivan transfer: Barcelona hijack rumours dismissed
With the uncertainty hanging over Man City, Romano addressed rumours that Barcelona are ready to steal Philadelphia Union’s Cavan Sullivan away from them.
“Waiting on the verdict, something quick I wanted to mention. There were some reports in the Spanish press about Cavan Sullivan,” he said.
“Who is Cavan Sullivan? He's a 17-year-old talent, an American player. It was a ‘Here we go’ a few years ago, if you remember. A wonderkid from the United States, he's considered the next big thing, the next star for American football.
“It was a ‘Here we go’ because Manchester City, City Football Group, signed this player for the future already a long time ago and prepared this deal.
“There was a story in Spain mentioning that the agent of the player said in public that the deal with Man City was not guaranteed yet, was not formally completed yet, opening doors to a potential move to Spanish clubs like Barcelona or whatever.
“The answer from the agency representing Cavan Sullivan these hours is that the interview is not true. The interview is fabricated, so Cavan Sullivan is not having any different plan from joining Manchester City.
“This is the message coming from the agency. They made very clear that there is no hijack ongoing from Barcelona to get Cavan Sullivan.
“Obviously, if something will happen, I will be here to tell you because everyone in this story is waiting for the Manchester City verdict. But for sure, this Cavan Sullivan story is not an immediate hijack at all.”
Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Portugal camp after Jorge Jesus clash
Cristiano Ronaldo’s walkout from the Portugal national team is a major developing story that Romano has provided an in-depth description of.
Romano said: “We have to talk about Cristiano. Cristiano, one week ago, made a press conference sitting next to Jorge Jesus, the new coach of the Portuguese national team.
“For those who don't know or maybe don't follow it on a daily basis, Jorge Jesus is the manager who led Al Nassr together with Cristiano Ronaldo, with Joao Felix, to winning the title last season.
“So Al Nassr won with Cristiano Ronaldo, with Jorge Jesus, with Joao Felix and with all the people at the club. Then Jorge Jesus left Al Nassr and became the new Portugal national team head coach.
“One week ago, Cristiano did a press conference and said: ‘I'm here to help, I'm ready for anything. Then, if at some point I am no longer part of this project, if they don't count on me, I will be the first one to grab my bag and leave. I'm gone. No problem.’
“So Cristiano was very clear about that. If I can help, I'm here. If you don't want me here, I go. I leave. No problem.
“One week later, Cristiano Ronaldo left because the big story of the day is that Cristiano Ronaldo, directly from Copenhagen, called his private jet back to pick him up and take him away from the Portuguese national team camp.
“So Cristiano is leaving. Cristiano is not going to play against Denmark and Cristiano is not going to play the final game also for the Portuguese national team for this Nations League schedule of the international break.
Romano continued: “What happened?
“Jorge Jesus did a press conference. Don't forget that Cristiano Ronaldo, against Norway a few days ago, didn't play. Zero minutes. Cristiano was on the bench.
“Jorge Jesus said it was agreed. But don't forget that Cristiano Ronaldo was warming up. Cristiano Ronaldo didn't play a single minute.
“It's not just about not starting. It's about warming up and not playing.
“Today, Jorge Jesus said: ‘Even Pele or Maradona would not be happy if they were made to wait 20 minutes, 30 minutes, and then they don't play. But it's me making the decisions. It's me deciding.’
“So, a very strong statement. While he was saying that there is no problem with Cristiano, Jorge Jesus also said: ‘He didn't train yesterday, yes, but he was just in the gym. Today, we will see him in the training session.’
“A few minutes later, half an hour later, the training session for Portugal was public, with the journalists, and Cristiano Ronaldo was not there.
“Cristiano Ronaldo didn't attend the training. Cristiano Ronaldo left the training session, left the camp and he's going back with his family.”
Ronaldo breaks silence after 'very tense' Portugal afternoon
“So, a strong position by Cristiano, a statement by Cristiano Ronaldo overnight by mentioning: ‘Tonight, I spoke to the president of the federation after the press conference of the coach. I decided to leave the national team camp. I will tell you the truth very soon.’
“Cristiano said it was a very tense, very tense afternoon at the Portuguese national team camp.
“That's the message coming out of the camp. That's the message coming out of those close to the situation. A very, very tense afternoon.
“Cristiano was not happy. Cristiano doesn't want to be a problem. Cristiano doesn't want to create any problem. Cristiano wants respect as well.
“At the same time, Jorge Jesus has his very strong position. And in Portugal, they know him very well. I know many fans on international television maybe don't know him very well, but Jorge Jesus is an experienced coach who wants to always have the final say, who is very strong on his positions.
“And so the conflict the day after the press conference was very strong. Cristiano was not happy at all. He left the national team camp.
“Let's see what's going to be the consequence of this. Portugal, in a statement, said: ‘We continue with our 24 players. We focus on the next games.’
“Also Cristiano, in the final line of his announcement, said in a very clear way that he's going to support Portugal as always. He said: ‘Since day one, I did my best for Portugal.’
“But for sure, now we will see what's going to happen next in a very tense night around Cristiano and Portugal.”
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