Capello ducks debate over Beckham amnesty
Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello has refused to be drawn into the controversy surrounding a decision which allows David Beckham to play against Sevilla on Sunday.
Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello has refused to be drawn into the controversy surrounding a decision which allows David Beckham to play against Sevilla on Sunday.
The Spanish football association's competitions committee controversially decided on Thursday to cancel the yellow card that Beckham had picked up during Real's 4-1 win at Athletic Bilbao last Sunday.
The booking, for not retreating fast enough at a free kick, was Beckham's 10th of the season and should have led to a one-match suspension.
"I'm happy he can play. He's a player who is very important to Real Madrid," Capello said at a press conference Saturday, refusing to be drawn further on the subject.
Real Madrid are currently third in La Liga and started the weekend one point behind Sevilla and two adrift of league leaders Barcelona, who play at relegation-threatened Real Sociedad later on Saturday.
Nevertheless, many other figures in Spanish first division football have had more than Capello to say on the decision.
"In European football the rules are serious but in Spain it is a joke," Sevilla coach Juande Ramos told reporters Friday after the decision to reprieve the former England captain.
"Everyone else has to obey the rules so I don't understand why Real Madrid don't have to do the same. Justice should be fair and for everybody, and there shouldn't be exceptions."
"But with or without Beckham, we are going to win on Sunday," blustered Sevilla president Jose Maria Del Nido.
"I don't understand why they cancelled his yellow card. I only hope they treat us the same when we have something similar happen to us," added Deportivo La Coruna coach Joaquin Caparros.
"It's a bit unusual," commented Barcelona defender Thiago Motta.
Beckham's presence against Sevilla could be just the boost that Real need to maintain their bid to snatch the league title from under the noses of their bitter rivals and reigning champions Barcelona.
After spending six weeks on the sidelines following a knee injury in March, Beckham has made a crucial contribution in both matches since returning to the team, including firing in free kicks which have led to a goal in each game.
Real have not won a major title since Beckham arrived in the summer of 2003 and La Liga represents his last chance of getting an honour before he leaves the Spanish capital to join Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of June.