Sunday 3 November 2019 13:52, UK
Zinedine Zidane defended Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez after both players left the Santiago Bernabeu before the end of Real Madrid’s La Liga draw with Real Betis.
Zidane saw his Real side drop points for the fifth time in 11 league matches on Saturday as they missed a chance to move two points clear at the top of the table after leaders Barcelona lost 3-1 to Levante.
The French head coach insisted Bale, who was not part of the matchday squad for the 0-0 draw, had not shown a lack of commitment with his decision to leave the ground - something he has done before this season.
Zidane has previously insisted Bale has permission to do so, while his exit did not conflict with club policy, which forbids players from leaving the stadium before the 80th minute if in attendance
"I don't think it's a lack of respect at all," Zidane said.
"Both players were here before the game to cheer on their team-mates, that's the most important thing."
Bale has not featured for Real since sustaining an injury in Wales' 1-1 draw with Croatia on October 13.
The 30-year-old was seen last month in London, leading to several reports that he was holding transfer talks with his agent Jonathan Barnett about a potential move to China but Zidane said the player had been given permission for "personal reasons".
Bale was close to securing a move to Chinese club Jiangsu Suning during the summer transfer window in a deal which would have seen the 30-year-old earn £1m-a-week.
