Real fine Ronaldo for flying visit to London

Brazilian striker Ronaldo has been fined by Real Madrid for making an unauthorised trip to London, the club's sporting director Jorge Valdano said on Tuesday.

"Ronaldo made the trip without the permission of the club and the appropriate sanction was applied," Valdano told Telemadrid Radio.

The player said last week that he did not think he should be punished for the visit, explaining that he had gone to London to fulfil publicity obligations with the sportswear firm Nike and had missed training on his return because of difficulties with his flight.

"I don't think I will be fined because I have done nothing wrong," he said at the time.

"The plane couldn't land at the airport on time because of fog and that's why I arrived late for training. I'm fully aware of my obligations and want to fulfil all of them."

Valdano said that reports that the club had intervened to prevent him attending Chelsea's match against Liverpool on Wednesday were not true.

"It is not correct that we rang him to stop him going to see Chelsea because we didn't even know he was in England at that time."

"I received a call that evening that informed me he was in London and the next day the player explained the problem he had with the fog and was fined. The problem is now forgotten."

Ronaldo is Real's leading scorer this season, notching 14 goals in 19 league matches.