Guillem Balague told Sky Sports News that picking up deliberate yellow cards to help the team is an old tactic.
Real Madrid have done it before, says Guillem
Guillem Balague told
Sky Sports News that picking up deliberate yellow cards is not a new thing in football.
Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos have been accused of getting sent off on purpose during Real Madrid's 4-0 win against Ajax in the Champions League.
Although they will miss Real's final group match against Auxerre after picking up second bookings for time wasting on Tuesday night, they will have a clean disciplinary record for the last 16 matches.
And Spanish football expert Balague feels the tactic has attracted extra attention because it was devised by Jose Mourinho.
"It's an original way to protect your group. If you add that to Mourinho, it's a cocktail that will create an extreme reaction," Balague said.
"I am glad it's not becoming one of those 'foreigners cheating again' things.
"I remember David Beckham doing exactly the same against Wales in 2004 when he forced a second yellow because he was injured. The other teams in the group could have appealed to get Beckham banned for longer, but didn't.
"Real Madrid did it previously, very clearly, in the Champions League against Leeds in 2001, when Makelele and Figo forced yellow cards."
Trouble with Mourinho?
Balague went on to say that Mourinho has done several things in recent weeks that have upset some people.
"It was a little bit obvious that Mourinho, in a way, broke another taboo for the second time in two weeks. First he said that one manager put a weak team out against Barcelona, which everybody knew but did not say," said Balague.
"Secondly is what happened here. He told the second goalkeeper to tell Casillas, who told Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso, that they had to force a yellow card. He could explain that they could play in the last 16 if they did.
"It does happen, it's football, but it was a little bit too obvious."
Split opinion
Balague said that there was a split opinion in Spain as to what people think about the incident.
"It's an extreme reaction. One half, especially Barcelona, are saying that it was pitiful and they shouldn't do it," Balague added.
"The other half are saying how the whole incident is overshadowing how well Real Madrid played.
"If you add Jose Mourinho to the equation, what can you expect from someone like him?"
The argument is likely to continue until Real Madrid's next match, against Barcelona in El Clasico, live on
Sky Sports next Monday.
