The club-versus-country tug of war over Cristiano Ronaldo took another twist with Real Madrid begrudgingly releasing their star player for medical assessment by his country.

The winger travelled to Portugal last night to have his ankle injury looked at by national team doctors. He could now play in the in crunch two-leg World Cup play-off against Bosnia having already been called up to Carlos Queiroz’s squad, despite the Bernabeu giants insisting the player has not recovered from a knock he picked up against Marseille on September 30.

The Spanish giants believed they had the right to have the player assessed in Spain, and even sent off medical reports to the Portuguese Federation in a bid to end the argument.

But Madrid bosses have relented and released Ronaldo for a return to his homeland.

“Real Madrid wishes to announce that Cristiano Ronaldo will travel to Portugal in the next few hours to put himself at the disposal of the medical services of the Portuguese federation,” said a statement on Real’s web site.

Meanwhile, the profile of women’s football in America has received a forceful boost - for all the wrong reasons.   

The game in the US has become an internet sensation thanks to a hair-pulling harridan and a set of US teen girls gone wild.

Game highlights making the rounds on-line have been featuring University of New Mexico defender Elizabeth Lambert pulling down an opponent by her ponytail and a late-game brawl between high school girls.

Lambert was handed a suspension after their 1-0 Mountain West Conference play-off semi-final loss to Brigham Young University, which including hitting, kicking and punching rivals.

“Her actions clearly crossed the line of fair play and good sportsmanship,” Lobos coach Kit Vela said.

Lambert apologised for her actions, but the video of her punch-and-pull performance has proven popular viewing.

In the wake of the incident came a brawl in Rhode Island, between Woonsocket and Tolman girls football teams, which started after two players ran into each other.