Real Madrid president Florentino Perez defends Cristiano Ronaldo over tax fraud allegations

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Real Madrid president Florentino Perez appeared to defend Cristiano Ronaldo on Spanish radio on Monday night in a move that will be seen as warding off interest in the player from Manchester United.

Ronaldo has been linked with a move away from the Bernabeu - possibly back to the Red Devils - after becoming unhappy at a perceived lack of support from Madrid over his current tax issues. 

The Portugal captain has been accused of ceding his image rights to a company in the British Virgin Islands so as to avoid paying £13million tax on them in Spain.  

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has defended Cristiano Ronaldo over his tax case 

'I know him and he's a top professional and person and all this is very strange,' Perez said.

'We have complete faith that Cristiano has always acted out of good faith because we know what he is like.'

Perez was careful to add: 'We all have to fulfill our tax responsibilities,' but he said that Ronaldo had used the same network of companies that he had used in England and he had no problems there. He also said the player had not tried to hide anything.

Ronaldo has been accused of avoiding paying up to £13million tax on his image rights in Spain

Asked if this was a tactic from Ronaldo to get the club to pay for a fine that could reach the 40 million euros mark, Perez added: 'The question makes no sense because he is not like that. If he is upset it's not about that.

'I have not spoken to him since Cardiff. He has a contract with us so he's a Madrid player. 

'Something has definitely affected him. We will find out what has happened but right now he is playing in a very important tournament and I'm not about to disturb that.'

Perez has given several newspaper interviews defending his player and he also told Spanish radio Onda Cero: 'He has not tried to hide anything and when there is no intent to hide [earnings] then there is no crime. 

Perez insists Real Madrid have 'complete faith' Ronaldo fulfilled his tax responsibilities 

He feels hurt right now and he may well be right in feeling that way. He shouldn't be treated like a criminal.

We are very relaxed about this. I have not spoken to any [other clubs]. No one has made us a single offer. Not for Cristiano Ronaldo, not for Alvaro Morata, not for James Rodriguez.

'We are not contemplating any other scenario than continue with the players we have. And with Ronaldo it is not like a melon that we bought and now we sell he has a connection with the club.'