Real Madrid president denies Capello's Raul claims

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has hit out at new England coach Fabio Capello.

Capello created a storm earlier this month when claiming that he convinced Calderon and Real sports director Pedja Mijatovic not to send captain Raul away on-loan last year.

Asked about Capello's comments yesterday, Calderon snapped: "I thank him for his work and the title he brought to this club. It set us on the right road."

"But if he wrote that - and I do not have any reason to doubt it - then I must say I am not impressed."

"We never spoke of this subject. Raul is and always has been essential for Real and we all wanted him to rediscover his best form."