Real Madrid president denies criticising Chelsea's Makelele

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has denied quotes attributed to him in a magazine interview regarding new Chelsea signing Claude Makelele.

Perez was quoted in France Football questioning Makelele's ability and importance to Real last season.

But Real issued an official media release yesterday insisting the "passages talking about Makelele weren't accurate. The president was only complementary about the player, both personally and professionally."

It also said: "The interview was taped in its entirety, so it would be easy to verify whether those critical comments that appeared in France Football were actually said."