Robinho move to R. Madrid ...

Robinho's move from Santos to Real Madrid was in danger of falling through yesterday when the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said they would not authorise the transfer under current conditions.

The nine-times European champions said on Thursday that they had paid 60 per cent, or $30 million, of the $50 million buy-out clause stipulated in Robinho's contract to buy Santos's share of his rights.

Robinho, who says he is no longer in the right frame of mind to stay in Brazil, has waived the remaining 40 per cent to which he is entitled.

But the CBF's legal director Carlos Eugenio Lopes said that a unilateral breach of contract would require Real Madrid to pay Santos the full $50 million for the 21-year-old Brazil international, one of the world's most exciting young players.

Lopes said Robinho would not be granted the International Transfer Certificate he needs to complete the move.

"We're going to deny the certificate because the transfer does not meet the requirements of the law," Lopes told Reuters.

"We can't release him either under Brazilian law or under FIFA rules," said Lopes. "(Brazilian law) requires the payment of the entire amount for there to be a unilateral end to the contract and that is not what Real are proposing."

Lopes said Santos had told the CBF that they did not agree with the transfer.

"Santos will only release him for $50m. Robinho would only have the right to his 40 per cent in a deal which is done by mutual agreement. He's not entitled to anything if he breaks off the contract."

Robinho's contract runs until 2008 and Santos president Marcelo Teixeira has been fiercely trying to hold on to the 21-year-old.

Teixeira has accused Real of approaching Robinho without his club's permission and of trying to use their financial clout to take the player.

Santos's legal director Mario Mello also denied the transfer deal of Robinho to Real was close to completion.

"We can't accept that they interpret the contract in one way and deposit the amount that they feel is right," he said.