Ticket sales hit 72,000

Real Madrid have been forced to close down their box office after already selling a staggering 72,000 season tickets this summer.

The club issued a statement on Tuesday to say that there would be no more tickets available after sales reached the astronomical level.

The figure supercedes last season's tally of 61,500 club members - largely due to the arrival at the Bernabeu of French ace Zinedine Zidane.

Fans wishing to become a season ticket holder in the future can telephone the club starting from September 1, when their details will be recorded to be put on a lengthy waiting list.

The demand for season tickets raises the issue of the club's plans to increase the capacity of the Santiago Bernabeu, currently able to house 85,000 spectators.