Real Madrid yesterday denied a report that top players had demanded coach Jose Mourinho leave before next season, warning the club: "It's him or us."
Top sports daily Marca splashed on the front page its claim of an ultimatum delivered to chairman Florentino Perez on Tuesday. “President, it’s Mou or us,” headlined the paper in its account of the meeting between captains Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos and the club management.
Jose Mourinho
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According to the paper, they told Perez that several players were ready to leave the club if the self-anointed “Special One” remained in charge for the next season. But the club said the claims were false. “The meeting took place but not the topic of conversation described by Marca,” said a spokesman. “What Marca said is false.”
Meanwhile, Madrid advanced to the semi-finals of the Spanish Cup on Wednesday night after a 1-1 draw at Valencia saw Real progress 3-1 on aggregate.
Leading 2-0 from the first leg in Madrid, Karim Benzema gave Real the lead a minute before half-time before Tino Costa equalised on 52 minutes.
Sevilla also made the last four following a 4-0 rout of Real Zaragoza.
Goalkeeper Casillas injured
Real goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas meanwhile fractured his left thumb during Wednesday's King’s Cup quarter-final second leg in Valencia, the Spanish club said yesterday. The 31-year-old was forced off the pitch 16 minutes into the contest after team mate Alvaro Arbeloa accidentally kicked his hand as he attempted a clearance. Reports claimed Casillas’ injury may may take up to three months to heal.
Madrid cross 500 million in revenues
Real Madrid became the first club in any sport to generate more than 500 million euros in revenue in a single year, according to Deloitte’s publication Football Money League. Madrid’s revenue rose by seven percent to 512.6 million euros in the 2011-2012 season ($644.7 million).
Top 10: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Man United, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City, AC Milan, Liverpool, Juventus.u00a0
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