Cape Town - Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti feels it is unfair that Zinedine Zidane could be banned as a result of the lengthy quest to obtain his coaching badges.
Zidane made the step up from Ancelotti's assistant to head coach of the club's B team Real Madrid Castilla in the off-season, despite not having the necessary qualifications.
The former Los Blancos star has so far skirted the issue by being listed as an assistant, as he is still working towards completing the UEFA Pro Licence which is required by Spanish law.
The La Liga authorities let the situation pass initially, but the former France international is now in danger of incurring a three-month ban for breaching regulations.
Ancelotti expressed sympathy for his former number two, admitting the time it takes to gain the required licence in France is unreasonable.
The Italian tactician told El Partido de los 12: "It does not seem right to me, [Zidane] does not have the certificate but he is getting it.
"France is the only place where it takes three years. I had the same problem in Italy, it is just in Spain that this happens. The law is there to be obeyed, but it can be fair or unfair."