Ronaldo "not bothered"

ByEurosport

Published 06/07/2006 at 16:09 GMT

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo said he was not bothered by the boos that accompanied his every touch in the Munich semi-final defeat by France on Wednesday, and Sven Goran-Eriksson may become a reggae boy.

The fans in the neutral sections - mostly German - took great offence at his unsporting conduct on the field and let him know exactly how they felt.

"I'm not bothered," Ronaldo said. "It doesn't worry me. I'm just here to do my job and try and help the team."

Portugal's surprise progress to the semi-finals has been marked by allegations of gamesmanship and diving, particularly in the matches against the Netherlands and England.

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FOOTBALL Mundial 2006 Cristiano Ronaldo, lesionado

Image credit: EFE

Against France he again went down theatrically on at least two occasions as Portugal ran out of ideas.

Ronaldo said that Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda was biased against Portugal.

"I don't think the referee was fair, there were a lot of fouls which deserved a yellow card which he didn't give," he said.

The Portuguese media echoed his sentiments. "Once again it was an unfair end," said Diario de Noticias. "There is little consolation in saying it but this time we really had a moral victory."

FOOTBALL Jorge Larrionda

Image credit: Imago

"Portugal deserved more," was the opinion of Jornal de Noticias. "The enormous effort of the Portuguese was not enough to beat the cold French."

The internet has seen a vitriolic campaign aimed at Ronaldo, including a specific website dedicated to his condemnation.

ERIKSSON A REGGAE BOY?

Jamaica have reportedly offered former England boss Sven Goran-Eriksson a three-million a year contract to become their new coach.

Eriksson is said to be considering an approach for full-time employment with South Africa, while the Jamaica offer - subsidised by the government - is apparently only part-time.

FOOTBALL 2006 World Cup England Eriksson

Image credit: Reuters

That would give the former Lazio and Sampdoria boss the opportunity to move back into club management.

LOTTHAR PRAISE FOR PREM

Lotthar Mattheus sees the future of German football...in the English Premiership.

"If German football is to take this successful summer and build on it, the best players must find places at the elite clubs in Europe. For me, that means they must move to England."

Michael Ballack moved to Chelsea from Bayern Munich this summer and became the highest-paid player in the Premiership.

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