Real Madrid have been forced to clarify that David Bettoni is not Zinedine Zidane’s assistant after it emerged he lacked the necessary qualifications.
Bettoni was announced as Zidane’s No 2 and sat alongside the Frenchman during last week’s 5-0 victory over Deportivo La Coruna, but his name was absent from the official team sheet.
It has since transpired that the 44-year-old does not possess the UEFA Pro Licence, thereby barring him from communicating with players during games, although he is allowed to from part of the Coach’s backroom staff.
“Real Madrid would like to inform that David Bettoni is not the assistant Coach of the first team as stated in some reports published in the last few hours,” read a statement on Madrid’s official website.
“As Zinedine Zidane said in the Press conference when he was presented as first team Coach on January 5, he doesn't have an assistant coach.
“David Bettoni is part of the technical team that serves the first team and assist the head Coach.”
Zidane’s fitness coach Hamidou Msaidie is neither in possession of a Pro Licence.
Bettoni graduated from Cannes’ youth system with Zidane in the early 1990s but spent much of his career in the French and Italian lower divisions.
Madrid have been plagued by administrative issues this season, with their Copa del Rey expulsion stemming from fielding an ineligible player and a transfer ban for breaking rules on the signing of minors.
