It may seem farce like; Zinedine Zidane, the former French maestro who led his country to World and European Cup glory, while also accumulating numerous honours during his time at Real Madrid, has been banned from coaching Castilla – Real Madrid’s B team – for three months through a lack of appropriate qualifications.
The sanction came after a complaint from the Spanish Football Federation, who stated the player needed to acquire his level 3 French coaching qualification before resuming his role as Head Coach of the team that resides in the Segunda B Division.
Madrid Statement
Real Madrid, along with many fans on twitter, were left outraged and bewildered by the decision. Madrid released a statement emphasising their “absolute disagreement with the decision” and that the club will “pursue every available legal avenue” after the belief that Zidane had been “authorised by the French Football Federation to work as head coach.”
Madrid will attempt to reverse the decision for Zidane, who assisted Carlo Ancellotti last season helping secure Real Madrid’s tenth Champions League win, and the case could end up in the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Fans Stance
But what is of more concern is the apparent stance that many football fans have on the issue; that Zidane, because of his successful past, should have the capacity to bypass any rules and regulations, allowing him to continue his role. Many flocked to the social media site Twitter on Monday with some disregarding the need for Zidane to undertake the course to attain his coaching badges.
Former footballer Rodney Marsh tweeted:
Don’t think Zinedine Zidane should be banned & forced to take coaching badges. Best player in the world doesn’t need a piece of paper !
— Rodney Marsh (@RodneyMarsh10) October 27, 2014
Another user tweeted:
decision to give Zinedine Zidane a three-month coaching ban Best player in the world doesn’t need a piece of paper!
— jonathan dad to be (@mange360) October 28, 2014
Corrupting the system
The belief that a former footballer, no matter how successful, seemingly knowledgeable, and popular, has the right to walk straight into a coaching role without accreditation is an insult to any aspiring coach.
If the belief for these coaches – who have undoubtedly worked hard to propel themselves up the coaching ladder, possible digging into their own bank accounts to pay for the respective courses – is one in which any former footballer receives even more of a head start towards a coaching career simply because he was just that, then it will paint a very bleak picture upon the coaching system, not to mention footballs policies in general.
Zinedine Zidane is yet to comment on the issue and Real Madrid have 10 working days to appeal against the ban.
