Man United lodge FIFA complaint over Cristiano Ronaldo

Manchester United's patience with Real Madrid finally snapped today as the Premier League champions reported the Spanish club to Fifa over their public courting of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Fifa have confirmed they will look into a complaint from Manchester United concerning Real Madrid's alleged attempts to unsettle the winger.

United threatened to take Madrid to Fifa last month after club officials were quoted expressing their admiration for the Portuguese player, who is representing his country at Euro 2008.

A statement issued today from Manchester United's communications department said: "On 27 May, Manchester United made clear its intention to report Real Madrid to FIFA if it continued to involve itself in the future of Cristiano Ronaldo.

"Unfortunately, Real Madrid has not kept its own counsel and the club feels it has no alternative but to make a formal complaint to the world governing body, which it has done today.

"The precise content and nature will remain confidential."

This afternoon Fifa confirmed receiving a formal complaint from the English Premier League side.

"It is too early to say how the matter will be dealt with," Fifa spokesman Pekka Odriozola said. "We will first have to look at the precise nature of the complaint before seeing what steps will be taken."

Real Madrid have denied any wrongdoing.

Click HERE to see how the tug-of-war has unfolded since the end of the season.