Zidane off the bench for Real

Madrid - France legend Zinedine Zidane was on Monday sanctioned as Real Madrid's reserve team coach for failing to have the required coaching badge, the Spanish champions announced.

Spanish sports daily Marca reported that the 1998 World Cup hero had picked up a three month suspension.

Zidane -- who had been linked with the head coach role at Ligue 1 side Bordeaux in the close season -- has fallen foul of the Spanish Football Federation for taking charge of Real's reserve side Castilla without the necessary qualifications.

The reserve team's assistant coach Santiago Sanchez was also punished.

Real issued a statement declaring their "absolute disagreement" with the decision.

They pointed out that Zidane "has been authorised by the French Football Federation to work as a head coach in the category Real Madrid Castilla currently find themselves in".

The statement concluded: "Real Madrid will pursue every available legal avenue so that this decision is overturned."

Zidane was elevated to reserve team coach at the beginning of this season following a single campaign as Carlo Ancelotti's assistant which saw Real win a 10th European Cup in May.

Spanish coaching school, the Cenafe, has submitted a complaint to the Spanish Federation against Real, claiming they are using assistant Sanchez's name on the teamsheet to bypass the regulations.

The case has sparked controversy in Spain with national team coach Vicente del Bosque telling Cope radio station that "everyone should have a coaching badge".

Rayo Vallecano coach Paco Jemez used tougher language, describing Real's actions as "shameful".

However, both Ancelotti and Dutch football legend Johan Cruyff have spoken out in support of Zidane.