MADRID
Spanish authorities have banned a former French football legend from coaching on Monday.
French star Zinedine Zidane has been barred from coaching Real Madrid's third division team "Castilla" for three months, for not having a proper license, announced the director of Spain's National Football Coaches Center (CENAFE), Miguel Galan, in a joint statement with Royal Spanish Football Federation.
Real Madrid released a statement saying the club was in "absolute disagreement with the decision" and would “pursue every available legal avenue so that this decision is overturned.”
"Zinedine Zidane has been authorized by the French Football Federation to work as a head coach in the category Real Madrid Castilla currently find themselves in, as the certificate issued by said Federation from 13 October 2014 states," the statement followed.
Before taking control of the Real Madrid's B club Castilla, Zidane was an assistant coach under Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid's manager in 2013.
The ban also concerns the French star’s assistant coach Santiago Sanchez.
According to the statement from the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Zidane has an "A type" license approved by European football’s governing body, UEFA, but this only permits, in Spain, the coaching of youth and regional teams.
In order to coach Castilla, Zidane needs a "third level" license, which is necessary for coaching third division to first division teams in the Spanish football league.
As a player, Zinedine Zidane was widely regarded by fans and peers as one of the best. Among other accomplishments, he won the 1998 World Cup with France and a Champions’ League trophy with Real Madrid in 2002.
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