Speaking out: FIFA president Sepp Blatter

The Professional Footballers' Association have called for FIFA president Sepp Blatter to retract his claim of 'modern slavery' in the game. 

Manchester United have also taken issue with Blatter after he declared Cristiano Ronaldo should be allowed to leave Old Trafford if he wants. 

It is not the first time the FIFA president has made controversial comments - once famously claiming women footballers should wear more revealing kit in an attempt to attract more interest.  

However, on this occasion, PFA chairman Chris Powell feels the Swiss has gone too far.  

Veteran former Charlton and England defender Powell, 38, said: 'His words have not gone down well with me. There are plenty of players, their families and supporters, people who love the game, who go and watch, spending their hard-earned money week in and week out who will not be happy with Sepp Blatter saying Cristiano Ronaldo is being treated like a slave. He is far from it.'

Powell added on Sky Sports News: 'I really hope Sepp will retract what he has said and that we can get on with resolving this saga because I am sure Manchester United want it to be.  

'Ronaldo is not fit now with his injury and having his operation, but I really hope for our sake, and football's sake, that Ronaldo wears the red again of Manchester United again next season.'   

The FIFA president's remarks, in a Sky News interview, certainly surprised Champions League winners United.  

When Blatter was asked if he felt sympathy for Ronaldo's current position, he said: 'Absolutely, absolutely. Definitely as a footballer and the FIFA president, I'm very in sympathy with the player Ronaldo.'  

Blatter added: 'I think in football there is too much modern slavery, transferring players or buying players here and there, and putting them somewhere. And we are trying now to intervene in such cases.'  

The Red Devils are adamant Ronaldo - PFA Player's Player of the Year in both the past two seasons - will not be leaving, even though the Portugal winger continues to send out mixed messages about his future.  

Real Madrid have made no secret of their admiration for Ronaldo, who is currently recovering from ankle surgery after playing in Euro 2008. 

A Manchester United spokesperson said: 'All our players - like at other clubs - enter into their contracts after an open and free negotiation. Most of whom do after taking advice from a FIFA-registered agent. Many do so on a number of occasions and enjoy long and successful stays at Old Trafford.'  

UEFA, meanwhile, have warned that players are becoming ever more powerful as a consequence of the Bosman ruling - and played down Blatter's suggestions they are slaves to clubs.   

UEFA slam Blatter

Communications director William Gaillard, who also serves as special advisor to UEFA president Michel Platini, gave a different point of view and claimed salaries are 'spiralling out of control'.

 'It would be useful to remind people that slaves in all of the slavery systems never earned a wage,' Gaillard said. 

The Bosman ruling came into effect in 1995, allowing players free transfers at the end of contracts, and those coming to the conclusion of their deals have become prey for other clubs.  

'It seems that both clubs and players are trying to negotiate an exit before the player is free,' Gaillard added.  

'It is a consequence of the Bosman ruling - there is nothing we can do about that.  

'It is obvious that today players have a lot more power than they did 20 years ago, undoubtedly, and agents have a lot more power than they did 20 years ago. It is true that salaries are spiralling out of control. Many clubs have pointed that out.'