Zidane cops one-match ban for violent behaviour

France and Real Madrid playmaker Zinedine Zidane has been handed a one-match ban by the Spanish federation's disciplinary body after being sent off for violent behaviour in midweek.

The former world player of the year was red-carded suring the semi-final second leg of the Spanish Cup in Seville, which Sevilla won 1-0 but failed to qualify for the final on aggregate.

Zidane was sanctioned for "violent behaviour". The Frenchman was adjudged to have slapped or used his hand to hit Sevilla defender Pablo Alfaro and was immediately sent off by the referee.

Real Madrid, who will meet Real Zaragoza in the March 17 Cup final, appealed the decision but it was rejected by the Spanish football federation.

The Spanish league leaders then made a second appeal to a higher administrative body - the Spanish Committee for Sports Discipline (CEDS) - in a bid to have Zidane available for Sunday's crunch league encounter against second-placed Valencia, but that was also rejected.