Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 743 Fri. June 30, 2006  
   
Sports


Calderon wants Robben & Kaka


Real Madrid presidential candidate Ramon Calderon claimed on Wednesday that he will bring Dutch winger Arjen Robben and Brazilian midfielder Kaka to the club if he wins the election on July 2.

Robben's club Chelsea immediately dismissed the suggestion while Kaka last week signed a contract extension with AC Milan until 2011.

"I have no doubt Kaka is going to play at Real Madrid and I am delighted he is coming," Calderon told a news conference.

"Robben has also signed a contract with this candidacy."

Chelsea dismissed his words on their website: "The club totally refutes statements made by Calderon linking Robben with a move to Real Madrid.

"Chelsea would like to make it clear that we have not spoken to Calderon or any of his representatives and categorically deny the suggestion that an agreement on any level has been reached."

Robben, 22, has been at Chelsea since 2004 and was a part of the Dutch squad who were knocked out of the World Cup finals by Portugal at the last 16 stage.

Kaka, 24, is in the Brazil squad who will face France in the World Cup quarterfinals on Saturday.

Calderon is one of five candidates standing in the Real election which was called after the board ousted Fernando Martin in April.

The election campaign has been characterised by claims from candidates to have secured various coaches and players, to swing voters.

Florentino Perez famously won the 2000 election with the promise to buy Barcelona's Luis Figo. Perez quit in February.