Real's appeal over cards rejected

Real Madrid trio Zinedine Zidane, Walter Samuel and Michel Salgado will miss next weekend's Primera Liga match against Real Sociedad after the Spanish Football Federation's (RFEF) disciplinary committee rejected Real's attempts to have their suspensions overturned.

Zidane, the former World Player of the Year, was shown a straight red card in the final minute of Saturday's 2-1 win over Villarreal after a scuffle with visiting defender Quique Alvarez who was also sent off.

Argentine defender Samuel was dismissed for committing two bookable offences, while full-back Salgado, who scored the winning goal, picked up his fifth yellow card.

Real did succeed in having England midfielder David Beckham's yellow card overturned, although he was not due to be suspended.

Second-placed Real trail leaders Barcelona by six points with five games left to play.