Robinho Could Face Sanction

The Robinho transfer saga continues to escalate without a resolution in sight. Reports from Spain yesterday alleged that the Brazilian refused to travel with the squad to Valencia to face the Copa del Rey champions in the Spanish Supercup, in an attempt to force Real Madrid’s hand to allow him to join Chelsea.


In an effort to cool down the controversy, the reigning La Liga champions immediately offered the player a new, improved contract believed to be worth around €5 million per season for five years, more than double what he currently earns.


But according to Catalan-based daily, Sport, the 24 year old has rejected the latest offer and he remains adamant not to play in for the Whites in Sunday’s game. And things are expected to turn very ugly if both parties fail to reach a common ground come kick-off.


Should Madrid coach Bernd Schuster summon Robinho to take to the Mestalla pitch and he blatantly refuses to do so, the capital club could report him to FIFA for a breach of contract. And should he be sanctioned by the governing body, he could be banned from playing for up to two years. 



But there could be an escape route for the former Santos wunderkind. Such has been the stress on the player that Marca reports that he has now gone three nights without sleep. If he is deemed psychologically unfit to play, then the club will have no choice but to exclude him.


The only glimmering light for Los Merengues is that they could use Robinho as a pawn to sign Didier Drogba. The Ivory Coast striker has verbally pledged his future to the Blues but contractually, there hasn’t been any new agreement between player and club to extend his stay.


Real Madrid are currently in the hunt for a proven, world-class goalscorer and Drogba has been a player that they have previously shown interest in.