2008-05-05 23:51:02 -

SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) - UNICEF said Monday three-time FIFA Player of the Year Ronaldo has never been one of its ambassadors, contrary to what the striker said a day earlier in a nationally televised interview to explain his highly publicized encounter with cross-dressing prostitutes in Brazil.
In a statement on its Brazilian Web site,

UNICEF said Ronaldo «is not and has never been an ambassador for the United Nations Children's Fund and has no official link with this agency. The recent mentions to UNICEF's name in the media are a mistake.
In an interview on Brazil's Globo TV on Sunday, Ronaldo said his encounter with prostitutes last week will «not interfere» with his post as a UNICEF ambassador.
«Nothing will get in the way of my position as an ambassador,» Ronaldo said.
He said it also won't hurt his relationship with his sponsors because «it was understood that it was an isolated act that won't happen again.
Ronaldo's spokesman could not be immediately contacted Monday.
The AC Milan striker said he wasn't aware the prostitutes were cross-dressers until he got to a motel and discovered they were men. He decided not to have sex with them because he is heterosexual, but accused one of the prostitutes of trying to extort money from him to keep the story from the media.

Police are investigating the alleged extortion attempt, but have said Ronaldo committed no crime. Prostitution is legal in Brazil.
Ronaldo, who is in Brazil recovering from a knee surgery, said «it was an isolated and stupid act.