Portugal coach denies row with Real over Ronaldo

Obidos: Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz on Tuesday denied a row with Real Madrid over whether Cristiano Ronaldo should play in vital World Cup qualifiers despite a lingering ankle injury.

The Spanish side said earlier the winger would travel to Portugal to be examined by national team doctors, after complaining about Queiroz`s decision to call him up for playoffs against Bosnia in Lisbon on Nov. 14 and Zenica four days later.Ronaldo suffered an ankle injury in late September which was aggravated in Portugal`s 3-0 win over Hungary 10 days later and he has not played since. The club said last Friday that their world record signing needed two more weeks of treatment. Director general Jorge Valdano says playing him now would be a serious mistake. But Queiroz told a news conference there was no row. "I want to put a full stop to this soap opera that has been created without any basis. The parties are fulfilling their obligations and that`s what`s important," Queiroz said. "I don`t understand the hysteria in some sectors, about a situation that is normal," he added.Queiroz said a decision over whether Ronaldo should play against Bosnia would be taken carefully. "We are convinced the decision will be made in accord with the player`s interests and, with that, the interests of all the parties will be safeguarded," he said. "The steps are simple -- there is a call up, an evaluation, a decision, and then life goes on." Bureau Report