European football’s governing body UEFA is to launch an investigation into the reported comments from goalkeeper Stijn Stijnen that his Belgium team-mates would “have to attack [Cristiano] Ronaldo so much that he will have to leave the pitch” in their forthcoming match against Portugal.
Belgium are due to face the tricky winger in a Euro 2008 qualifier on Saturday and the quotes appeared in an article looking forward to the tie in one of the country’s regional papers. The Portuguese Football Federation have moved quickly to protect their star, requesting that Uefa look into the allegations immediately.
“We have received a complaint from the Portuguese FA and we will start an investigation into the matter,” a UEFA spokesman confirmed.
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