Fabio Capello, the former Real Madrid coach, has revealed that the decision to banish David Beckham from the Real Madrid first team after he announced he would be joining LA Galaxy was made by the club’s directors. “The club management said Beckham had negotiated with them,” Capello said.

Gustavo Kuerten, the three-time French Open winner, will be a reserve on Brazil’s Davis Cup squad that will face Austria in the World Group play-offs next month. The 30-year-old, ranked 661st by the ATP, has a 2-7 singles record this season and won the last of his 20 titles in February 2004.