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LONDON, England (CNN) -- Cristiano Ronaldo should be allowed to leave European champions Manchester United for Real Madrid if he wants says FIFA president Sepp Blatter.
Questioned about the protracted wrangle over the 23-year-old's future, Blatter told Sky News that the practice of binding players to lengthy contracts amounts to "modern slavery".
Portugal winger Ronaldo's future at Old Trafford has been the source of heated speculation, with Spanish giants Real making clear they want to sign him at any cost.
United made a formal complaint to FIFA about Madrid's interest last month, but football's governing body said that no regulations had been broken.
"I'm always in favor of protecting the player and if the player, he wants to leave, let him leave," said Blatter.
"If the player wants to play somewhere else, then a solution should be found because if he stays in a club where he does not feel comfortable to play then it's not good for the player and for the club."
Ronaldo, who hit 42 goals for United last season, has a contract until 2012 and Blatter believes the issue raises concerns about the way transfers and contracts are dealt with in the game.
He said he was "very in sympathy" with Ronaldo over his current position.
"I think in football there's too much modern slavery in transferring players or buying players here and there, and putting them somewhere," he added.
"We are trying now to intervene in such cases. The reaction to the Bosman law is to make long-lasting contacts in order to keep the players and then if he wants to leave, then there is only one solution, he has to pay his contract."
Chelsea's Frank Lampard is also involved in a potential transfer dispute with Italian club Inter Milan anxious to sign the England midfield player.
Lampard has been offered a new four-year contract by Chelsea who insist the player will have to see out the final year of his current deal whatever happens.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo had surgery Monday on his right ankle and looks set to miss the start of the new campaign
A United spokesperson told PA Sport: "All our players - like at other clubs - enter into their contracts after an open and free negotiation. Most of whom do after taking advice from a FIFA-registered agent.
"Many do so on a number of occasions and enjoy long and successful stays at Old Trafford."
UEFA have warned that players are becoming ever more powerful as a consequence of the Bosman ruling -- and played down Blatter's suggestions they are slaves to clubs.
Communications director William Gaillard, who also serves as special advisor to UEFA president Michel Platini, gave a different point of view and claimed salaries are "spiralling out of control".
"It would be useful to remind people that slaves in all of the slavery systems never earned a wage," Gaillard told Sky Sports News.
The Bosman ruling came into effect in 1995, allowing players free transfers at the end of contracts, and those coming to the conclusion of their deals have become prey for other clubs.
"It seems that both clubs and players are trying to negotiate an exit before the player is free," said Gaillard. "It is a consequence of the Bosman ruling - there is nothing we can do about that.
"It is obvious that today players have a lot more power than they did 20 years ago, undoubtedly, and agents have a lot more power than they did 20 years ago.
"It is true that salaries are spiralling out of control. Many clubs have pointed that out."
Blatter went on to dismiss the Premier League's much-criticised '39th step' proposals, insisting plans to play competitive matches overseas -- either in the league or domestic cups -- was doomed to fail.
He said: "The 39th game as presented will never happen. To my knowledge what they (the Premier League) want to do is perhaps to play some of the League Cup matches somewhere outside of England. That's the last information I got.
Questioned about the protracted wrangle over the 23-year-old's future, Blatter told Sky News that the practice of binding players to lengthy contracts amounts to "modern slavery".
Portugal winger Ronaldo's future at Old Trafford has been the source of heated speculation, with Spanish giants Real making clear they want to sign him at any cost.
United made a formal complaint to FIFA about Madrid's interest last month, but football's governing body said that no regulations had been broken.
"I'm always in favor of protecting the player and if the player, he wants to leave, let him leave," said Blatter.
"If the player wants to play somewhere else, then a solution should be found because if he stays in a club where he does not feel comfortable to play then it's not good for the player and for the club."
Ronaldo, who hit 42 goals for United last season, has a contract until 2012 and Blatter believes the issue raises concerns about the way transfers and contracts are dealt with in the game.
He said he was "very in sympathy" with Ronaldo over his current position.
"I think in football there's too much modern slavery in transferring players or buying players here and there, and putting them somewhere," he added.
"We are trying now to intervene in such cases. The reaction to the Bosman law is to make long-lasting contacts in order to keep the players and then if he wants to leave, then there is only one solution, he has to pay his contract."
Chelsea's Frank Lampard is also involved in a potential transfer dispute with Italian club Inter Milan anxious to sign the England midfield player.
Lampard has been offered a new four-year contract by Chelsea who insist the player will have to see out the final year of his current deal whatever happens.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo had surgery Monday on his right ankle and looks set to miss the start of the new campaign
A United spokesperson told PA Sport: "All our players - like at other clubs - enter into their contracts after an open and free negotiation. Most of whom do after taking advice from a FIFA-registered agent.
"Many do so on a number of occasions and enjoy long and successful stays at Old Trafford."
UEFA have warned that players are becoming ever more powerful as a consequence of the Bosman ruling -- and played down Blatter's suggestions they are slaves to clubs.
Communications director William Gaillard, who also serves as special advisor to UEFA president Michel Platini, gave a different point of view and claimed salaries are "spiralling out of control".
"It would be useful to remind people that slaves in all of the slavery systems never earned a wage," Gaillard told Sky Sports News.
The Bosman ruling came into effect in 1995, allowing players free transfers at the end of contracts, and those coming to the conclusion of their deals have become prey for other clubs.
"It seems that both clubs and players are trying to negotiate an exit before the player is free," said Gaillard. "It is a consequence of the Bosman ruling - there is nothing we can do about that.
"It is obvious that today players have a lot more power than they did 20 years ago, undoubtedly, and agents have a lot more power than they did 20 years ago.
"It is true that salaries are spiralling out of control. Many clubs have pointed that out."
Blatter went on to dismiss the Premier League's much-criticised '39th step' proposals, insisting plans to play competitive matches overseas -- either in the league or domestic cups -- was doomed to fail.
He said: "The 39th game as presented will never happen. To my knowledge what they (the Premier League) want to do is perhaps to play some of the League Cup matches somewhere outside of England. That's the last information I got.
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