© EuroFootball.com
After the disciplinary committee of the Spanish Football Association decided to annul the yellow card for the Madrid star David Beckham and allow him to play in one of the most important remaining matches of the season against Sevilla, there was a wave of dissatisfaction in Spain.
The former captain of the English national team received his tenth yellow card this season last weekend, during the victorious match against Athletic Bilbao, when he was admonished by the referee for not hurrying to take a penalty shot. The player was supposed to receive an automatic disqualification and miss the Sunday match against Sevilla.
Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello did not succumb to journalists' provocations on this issue and was very straightforward: "I am very happy that he will be able to play. He is a very important player for the team."
Currently, the Royal club is in third place in La Liga, two points behind the leaders Barcelona, who will play against Real Sociedad on Saturday.
Meanwhile, many Spanish football players were not as quiet as F. Capello about this ambiguous decision.
"The rules in European football are taken seriously, but in Spain it is some kind of mockery," said Sevilla's head coach Juande Ramos on Friday. "Everyone else must obey the rules, but I do not understand why Real should not. Justice and rules should apply to everyone, without any exceptions."
"Whether Real plays with Beckham or not, we will win on Sunday," said Sevilla president Jose Maria Del Nido.
However, criticism and dissatisfaction were not only coming from the Sevilla camp.
"I do not understand why the yellow card was annulled. I hope that in a similar situation with us, the same approach will be taken," said Deportivo's head coach Joaquin Caparros.
"Strange decision," added Barcelona defender Thiago Motta shortly.
