Madrid, Oct 28 (IANS): Zinedine Zidane has been suspended for three months by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) for working as the coach of Real Madrid Castilla (Real Madrid's B team) without the necessary qualifications.

Zidane's sanction Monday is the result of a complaint which was placed by Miguel Galan, the director of the Cenafe Escuelas, which runs courses for would-be coaches, highlighting that the Frenchman does not possess the level 3 qualification needed to coach in the third tier of Spanish football, reports Xinhua.

Galan commented that Zidane "does not have the required title. He has a UEFA A license. This license does not allow him to work as coach of Real Madrid Castilla".

Real Madrid, meanwhile, have issued a statement explaining their "total disagreement" with the decision and announcing the club will appeal.

Last season Zidane worked as the assistant coach to Carlo Ancelotti with the Real Madrid first team.