Refs could force Ronaldo to leave?

The lack of referee protection from BPL officials may force Cristiano Ronaldo to leave Man United for Real Madrid.

Both the English and Spanish media have reported that Ronaldo is growing weary of the lack of protection offered by referees in the top flight of English football after his latest spat with match officials during Man United's match against Fulham over the weekend.

Even Sir Alex Ferguson was fuming over how his superstar was being "systematically fouled" by rival defenders.

"It has become a tactic," Ferguson said in an interview. "Someone fouls him, then someone else. The referee thinks he is diving and the crowd are screaming."

The Man United boss also referenced a Champions League game with Villarreal to illustrate the disparity between referees in England and in Europe.

Italian referee Roberto Rosetti gave Joan Capdevila his marching orders for a rash tackle above the knee on Ronaldo in that fixture at El Madrigal. Ferguson claimed that foul would not have resulted in a sending off in the Premier League.

The thought of extra protection from Primera Liga refs and the less physical nature of Spanish football is appealing to Ronaldo and could persuade him to move to the Bernabeu.

It is widely believed that Madrid already raised the funds necessary to sign the FIFA World Player of the Year. Furthermore, it has also been spread that an agreement has been reached with Ferguson to allow the two parties to negotiate a transfer this summer - which, if true, means that it is now strictly up to Ronaldo whether he wants to leave Man United for the Santiago Bernabeu.