Robinho demands to depart Real for Chelsea

MADRID, Spain (AP) -- Robinho repeated his desire to leave Real Madrid for Chelsea on Sunday, questioning the Spanish club's motives for retaining him and criticizing his coach Bernd Schuster.

Speaking at a brief news conference he had called the previous day, Robinho said he had informed Madrid president Ramon Calderon, sports director Predrag Mijatovic and Schuster of his desire to move to Stamford Bridge.

"The situation has not changed at all. The negotiations are continuing and I still wish to leave Madrid. I want to play for Chelsea," said Robinho, who has two years of his contract remaining.

Chelsea, managed by his fellow Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari, have reportedly offered Robinho a large increase on his current annual salary, believed to be $3.1 million.

Robinho suggested that Schuster was the biggest obstacle to his desired transfer.

Schuster left the 24-year-old forward out of his squad for Madrid's opening Spanish league game of the season at Deportivo La Coruna later Sunday. The coach said that once the transfer window closes on Monday, he would be able to make Robinho feel at home again at Madrid.

"The president and Pedja (Mijatovic) said they will let me leave, but Schuster doesn't because he has promised to make me feel comfortable again. If he thinks that, it's his problem. I don't want to stay at Real Madrid," Robinho said.

Responding in a statement on the club's Web site, Madrid began by criticizing Robinho for deflecting attention from the Deportivo game.

The Spanish club said it would accept a decision by the forward to unilaterally rescind his contract, implying that Robinho would be free to leave by paying the astronomical sum of $220 million buyout clause.

Madrid added it regretted "the behavior of Chelsea officials who, despite knowing perfectly well the decision not to sell the player, have continued to make gestures and statements and have even sold the player's shirt on its official Web site. All this has done nothing but aggravate the situation and confuse public opinion."

Chelsea officials later defended their conduct in a statement.

"There is nothing wrong with publicly confirming our interest in a player when the club involved is well aware of it, has been in receipt of two bids and is negotiating to sell the player. So we completely refute any criticism from Real Madrid," the Premier League club said.

"As for the issue regarding the Web site, Real are well aware this was a regrettable accident by an external supplier which was rectified as soon as it was brought to our attention and not a single shirt was sold."

Madrid rejected Chelsea's initial $47 million bid for Robinho and are believed to be holding out for $58.6 million.

"Calderon said that if a good offer came in they would let me go. Chelsea have made a great effort to sign me," Robinho said.

Robinho said he had been trying to renew his contract since May but claimed Madrid were more interested in trying to sign Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo.

Madrid, who this week also failed in attempts to sign Valencia striker David Villa and Villarreal midfielder Santi Cazorla, have insisted Robinho will not be sold.

"My agent has gone a thousand times to talk to the club and the club has shown no interest in me staying. Now as the club hasn't signed anyone, it's in their interest for me to stay," Robinho said.

Robinho, who leaves on Monday for World Cup qualifiers with Brazil against Chile and Bolivia, said he was prepared to sit out the season in the stands.

"I'll recover because I'm young. I'm not refusing to play, I have a contract. If they make me play I will, although I won't be happy," he said.

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