Brazil president sorry for Ronaldo fat jibe

KONIGSTEIN, Germany, June 10 (Reuters) Brazil president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has apologised to striker Ronaldo for asking whether the player was fat during a video-conference with the national team on Thursday.

Ronaldo's official Web site said he had received a letter from the president stating that he did not intend any offence with the comment and he continued to be a fan of the player.

The 2002 World Cup's leading scorer, who said yesterday that Lula had been badly influenced by the media, added that he wanted an end to the controversy.

''All Brazilians need to be together to support our team,'' he said in a statement. ''The letter from the president was very good and showed that he understood what I wanted to say.

''Not everything you hear about us is true,'' he added. ''As far as I'm concerned, this episode is finished.'' Ronaldo added that he had recovered from the sinus problem which caused him to miss training on Thursday.

During Thursday's video conference with the team from Brasilia, Lula touched on a sore point when he asked if Ronaldo was fat or not.

Ronaldo was not present because of his illness and heard about the comment from team mates.

The striker, whose season with Real Madrid was interrupted by a series of minor injuries, has become increasingly exasperated with speculation about his weight.

yesterday, he said that even the president could be led astray by bad publicity, described the issue as nonsense and said he deserved more respect.

Ronaldo has been included in team for Brazil's opening match against Croatia in Berlin on Tuesday, which was named at the start of May by coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.

The world champions also face Japan and Australia in their first round Group F.

REUTERS PDS BST1717