David Beckham

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Real Madrid planning winning exit for Beckham

Real Madrid defender Cicinho insists he and his team-mates will do all they can to help David Beckham fulfill his dream of leaving the Spanish giants with a Primera Liga winner's medal. Beckham has yet to win a major trophy since joining Madrid in 2003, and this year's league title is his final opportunity to end that barren run before he quits Spain to join Major League Soccer side the Los Angeles Galaxy this summer.

Beckham is desperate to go out on a high note, and Cicinho is determined to see the Englishman, who is held in high esteem among the Madrid squad, achieve that goal.

The Brazilian said: 'We have always said that Beckham is a great player, not just me but all of my team-mates. We all know that is going to leave at the end of the season and we have to make the most of every moment that we have to work with him, because he wants to leave Madrid with a title to celebrate with the fans, and we have to make the most of all the training sessions and win every match so that can do this.'

Beckham, 32 today, has been in fine form since returning from a six-week absence due to a knee injury, and helped Madrid beat Valencia and Athletic Bilbao in the last two weekends. Those victories have seen Madrid climb to within two points of leaders Barcelona with only six games remaining in the season.

However, Beckham is set to miss this weekend's epic showdown with second-placed Sevilla the Bernabeu after picking up a yellow card for apparent time-wasting against Athletic. That was Beckham's 10th booking of the season and means he must now serve a ban - triggered once a player reaches five cautions - unless Madrid can get the decision overturned.

Cicinho admits it would be a blow to lose Beckham, but is confident Madrid have the strength in depth to be able to cover the former England captain's absence. The full-back said: 'There exists the possibility that he can play if the overturn the card, we are hoping to see that happen because that would be good for us. But we must also be aware that this group has many players who can help Real Madrid. Any player who plays in the game will do well and we can record the win.'

With regards to the incident involving Beckham's yellow card, Cicinho said: 'We wanted to play on but Bilbao players were very close to the ball, and we could not. We asked the referee to move them away, but the referee misunderstood and he showed the card to Beckham. It was not to waste time. If nothing changes then we have to try to play without him.'

Beckham was unable to take a full part in training today, with Madrid confirming in their medical bulletin that he was suffering from a thigh problem and a sore throat, and worked out in the gym and swimming pool.

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Beckham ban lifted, available for Sevilla match

MADRID, Spain (AP) - David Beckham can play in Real Madrid's league match with Sevilla this weekend after the Spanish soccer federation lifted his one-game suspension on Thursday.

Beckham received his 10th yellow card of the season for time-wasting in the 74th minute of Madrid's 4-1 win over Athletic Bilbao last Sunday. Players incur an automatic one-game suspension with every five yellow cards.

Madrid argued the midfielder had delayed taking a free kick because Bilbao midfielder Fran Yeste was standing closer than the allowed 10 yards (9.15 meters).

The club reportedly provided the federation with video evidence which showed Beckham had only waited to ask referee Cesar Muniz Fernandez to enforce the distance rule.

Madrid has been keen to have Beckham available for Sunday's game with fellow title candidate Sevilla.

The former England captain has been in impressive form since his recent return from a six-week injury absence, his free kicks providing goals for Sergio Ramos in victories over Valencia and Bilbao.

Madrid, which hasn't won a major trophy since Beckham's arrival from Manchester United in 2003, is third with 60 points. Sevilla has 61, one less than leader FC Barcelona.

Beckham has a maximum of six games remaining before he joins the Los Angeles Galaxy in August.

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Beckham able to play on Sunday

Spanish FA rescinds fifth yellow card received against Athletic

The Competition Committee of the Spanish FA (RFEF) has decided to lift the one-game suspension David Beckham was due to serve after accumulating his fifth yellow card last Sunday against Athletic Bilbao. In light of the decision, the English midfielder is able to play in this Sunday's match against Sevilla assuming, of course, coach Fabio Capello deams it appropriate.

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Beckham Free To Play Against Sevilla, Ramos Furious

David Beckham has been given the green light to play against Sevilla on Sunday after having his last yellow card rescinded, a decision that Juande Ramos has branded as a joke.

The English midfielder would have been suspended after being booked against Athletic Bilbao last weekend as the referee cautioned him for time-wasting at a free-kick.

On Thursday evening the Spanish league's Competition Committee heard evidence from Real Madrid and agreed to expunge the card and allow Beckham to play.

Los Merengues claim that the former Manchester United playmaker was merely waiting for one of the Athletic players to move back ten yards because he was standing six yards from the ball.

The decision has been met with derision by Sevilla, who believe that Madrid have been given special dispensation.

Coach Ramos criticised the decision-making process in Spanish football and cited the fact the differences between la Primera and playing in European competition.

Julien Escudé was booked in the UEFA Cup semi final against Osasuna on Thursday and Ramos does expect that an appeal will be successful, leaving the player suspended for the final in Glasgow.

"The UEFA regulations are serious and in Spain they are ridiculous," he said. "Therefore it is not even worth talking about.

"Every team is punished with cards for time wasting, all except Real Madrid that is."

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Beckham reprieve proof of double standards - Sevilla boss

MADRID, May 4 (Reuters) - The decision to overturn a booking for Real Madrid's David Beckham is evidence of the double standards at work in Spanish football, according to Sevilla coach Juande Ramos.

The Spanish Football Federation decided to wipe clear a yellow card given to Beckham for time-wasting in last weekend's 4-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao, allowing the midfielder to avoid a suspension and play in Sunday's crunch match against Sevilla.

Ramos said the fact that his defender Julien Escude would not be allowed to play in the final of the UEFA Cup after picking up a booking in the closing minutes of his side's 2-0 win over Osasuna exposed the flaws in the Spanish system.

"In European football the rules are serious, but in Spain it is a joke," he told reporters after the game. "Everyone else has to obey the rules, so I don't understand why Real Madrid don't have to do the same."

Sevilla are in second place in the Primera Liga, a point ahead of Real in the standings and the result of Sunday's game could prove to be of decisive influence in the title race.

It is not the first time Beckham has received a reprieve after initially being banned for picking up a fifth yellow card.

Last season his red card given for clapping the referee against Valencia was overturned after the Appeals Committee adjudged it was not "sarcastic" and he played the next match against Deportivo Coruna.

Real Madrid sporting director Predrag Mijatovic also escaped punishment from the Federation on Thursday after his recent comments criticising referees for decisions that went against his side.

However, Valencia coach Quique Sanchez Flores was fined 600 euros ($820) for questioning the ability and integrity of a referee after a recent defeat against Athletic Bilbao.

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Real Madrid vs. Sevilla

KEEPERS: Casillas, Diego Lopez.

DEFENDERS: Ramos, Cicinho, Cannavaro, Helguera, Marcelo, Michel Salgado, Torres

MIDFIELDERS: Guti, Gago, Emerson, Diarra, Robinho, Raul, Reyes, Beckham.

STRIKERS: Higuain, Van Nistelrooy.

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New house in Beverly Hills:

Pictures:

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David and Victoria