Calderon resigns over voting row

Calderon resigns over voting row

The president of Real Madrid, Ramon Calderon, resigned yesterday as the club's board began investigating allegations that he had rigged votes at last month's general assembly.


Calderon, who has denied the claims, was half-way through a four-year term. His popularity was already waning with Real slipping 12 points behind Barcelona after he had failed to deliver on transfer targets Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and others.

The news comes as Real prepare to host La Liga's bottom club Osasuna tomorrow.

Defender Michel Salgado said: "We are on a good run and the controversy is not welcome. We are on the up and trying to isolate ourselves."

Barcelona meet seventh-placed Deportivo La Coruña at home tonight with Yaya Touré expecting a tough match. "Our rivals are playing more defensively, games are more physical than technical and some teams are committing a lot of fouls," he said.

In Italy, Gianluigi Buffon is in line to make his first Serie A start in three months in the Juventus goal at Lazio tomorrow, but leaders Internazionale are without the suspended Sulley Muntari for their match at Atalanta.

Adriano will play some part, said manager Jose Mourinho, after the enigmatic striker appeared more committed recently. The coach added: "I'm happy to have re-found Adriano and I think he can do a lot for Inter, as long as he does not arrive late to training."

Reintegrating Mario Balotelli may be trickier after the teenage starlet's agent said he wanted to spend the rest of the season on loan elsewhere.

Milan will be without the suspended Ronaldinho at home to Fiorentina tonight but David Beckham will start, as should the in-demand Kaka.

The Bundesliga is on a winter break but leaders Hoffenheim are reeling after leading scorer Vedad Ibisevic was ruled out for months with torn knee ligaments.