Spanish football expert Filippo Maria Ricci has accused Real Madrid of ‘hypocrisy’ and ‘a very, very short memory’ after the Spanish giants reported Inter to FIFA over their pursuit of Luka Modric.
Ricci has worked as Gazzetta dello Sport’s Spain correspondent for over a decade and wrote a column in the paper’s Saturday edition on the matter, dismissing Florentino Perez’s conduct as ‘laughable’ and explaining how Madrid are in no position to preach about other clubs’ behaviour in the transfer market.
“This is a story of history repeating itself, unjustified attacks and a very, very short memory,” he wrote.
“In 2012 Real Madrid signed Luka Modric from Tottenham after a long and drawn-out pursuit. Florentino Perez got what he wanted for one simple reason: for the second year running Modric had put his foot down after deciding he wanted to leave White Hart Lane, in an attempt to ensure that he got his wish.
“In 2011 he wanted to move to Chelsea but the deal ultimately did not go through. In 2012 he chose Madrid and had better luck.. Six years later history has repeated itself: Modric wanted to leave Real Madrid this summer and he made sure everyone was aware of that.
“Back then he told Tottenham, this time he told Inter. Who did nothing but listen, naturally intrigued. Just as Florentino Perez had done six years ago, telling people how he was very optimistic of bringing the Croatian to Madrid long before they had agreed a deal with Tottenham.
“This time however the boot is on the other foot and Madrid have reported Inter to FIFA for speaking to a player who is under contract with another club.
“The whole thing is laughable, to be honest. Firstly, because it highlights the blatant hypocrisy that exists within football: when clubs identify a transfer target, 90% of the time they will get in contact with the player, either directly or via their entourage, to find out whether they’re interested in coming. It’s pointless getting into negotiations for someone who doesn’t want you.
“Secondly, because in this specific instance Inter did not pursue Modric – it was the player’s agents who offered him to the Nerazzurri – and because Real Madrid’s recent history is littered with exactly the kind of episode they’re complaining about now.
“Just ask Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish football federation, who saw the coach of the national team taken from underneath him three days before the start of the World Cup in Russia and two weeks after he had signed a contract extension through to 2020.
“On top of that we can’t not mention Jose Mourinho, who didn’t even leave Madrid after Inter’s magical night at the Bernabeu in 2010 as he had already agreed a deal with Florentino Perez.”
Ricci also highlighted the club’s pursuits this summer of Mauro Icardi, Eden Hazard, Thibaut Courtois and Kylian Mbappe, before concluding: “Madrid really are in no position to talk when it comes to conduct in the transfer market.
“The fact that Madrid’s actions have since been followed by the extremely serious accusations made by Javier Tebas – who is not a pro-Madrid pundit but the president of the league, accusing Inter of ‘cheating’ – is even more shocking.
“If we want to find a silver lining in all of this, evidently people are starting to fear Inter again.”
