Perez Upset Over Bale Nonsense

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has voiced his surprise following more reports which suggest Gareth Bale had a slipped disc in his back and could require surgery. Perez did not mince his words when he said that this story was intended to hurt the club's and Bale's reputation, and their lawyers are looking into taking action. "I'm surprised. It's difficult to understand such a cruel story," said Perez. "It was the first time I had heard talk of that subject (a herniated disc). The paper also wrote that I had been told about this problem during the medical. It's totally false. "It's very serious as it plays with the image of Real Madrid and Bale. It can be very damaging and is not a minor issue. We want to know why it happened. "It surprised us even more when we found out a reporter from the paper (Marca) called our medical team, as well as Bale's representative, and decided not to even put a line in about what they said. "It was something that was intended to do harm and that's why we are surprised. It affects the image, dignity and economic value of Bale. "The player and his team are worried because they have contracts and campaigns that this could affect. They've said he has a hernia when he doesn't and our lawyers are looking at what can be done." Perez was so adamant that Balewas fit he suggested he could play on Sunday against Malaga. "Gareth is calm and ready and is hoping to play on Saturday," added Perez. "Everybody knows that, because he did not have a proper pre-season, he suffered a thigh strain. "He is training well and wants to play and demonstrate that all this has just been an unpleasant and unfortunate start." -