REAL MADRID, RONALDO TALK EASES

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon seems to be backing away from his attempt to lure Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United. Calderon sought to ease the rising tensions with United over a tug-of-war for the player, telling Britain's Sky Sports News yesterday that "we are not going to start a conflict." United has threatened to report Real Madrid to FIFA over the way the Spanish champion has tried to lure Ronaldo away from Old Trafford. Although Ronaldo is only 13 months into a five-year deal, Madrid was reportedly willing to pay a world-record transfer of about 60 million pounds (C$118.8 million) and almost double the salary for the winger.
INTER MILAN FIRES MANCINI
Inter Milan announced the firing of coach Roberto Mancini, less than two weeks after the club clinched its third straight Italian Serie A title. The club had said it was upset with comments Mancini made after it lost to Liverpool in the Champions League quarter-finals. The coach announced he would resign at the end of the season, but changed his mind a few days later. Former Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho is being tapped to replace Mancini, now linked with the vacant Chelsea job.