Real Madrid sack player for biting referee

Real Madrid have sacked a player for biting a referee during a Third Division game.

Jose Maria Lopez Silva, of Real Madrid C, bit the shoulder of the referee during a game against Navalcarnero.

Real officials met yesterday to discuss the incident and decided to expel Silva from the club immediately.

"It has been an instinctive reaction, I lost my head for a second and did a small bite on the referee," explained Silva on Monday.

"It was because I felt he had made a poor decision when he sent me off. It will not happen again and I am very sorry."

His coach, Manolo Diaz, said last night: "It was a serious act and one that has no excuse. I believe it was a reflex action, but the committee have decided to expel him."

The Spanish FA are expected to ban Silva for eight games and the midfielder is believed to be already talking to rival Third Division teams after last night's decision.