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Raul wants Real respect
By Tom Adams - Created on 19 Jan 2007
Real Madrid captain Raul has warned that the Primera Liga giants must behave in a more respectful manner following controversial comments made by president Ramon Calderon.
The Bernabeu supremo slated the current crop of players in an address to students on Tuesday, claiming that the squad were too vain and that David Beckham was 'half a film star' following his decision to join LA Galaxy.
In response, the former England captain chastised the chairman in front of his team-mates in training on Thursday, and now Raul has added his authoritative voice to the chorus of discontent emerging from the playing staff.
"The president is the president and can say what he wants, but what he said upset many people and was not a wise thing to do," Raul told a news conference.
"A club with the history and tradition of Real Madrid needs to behave differently. The image that has been given in recent weeks isn't the right one.
"Mutual respect needs to be shown by everyone."
Raul also revealed that the squad have urged coach Fabio Capello to rethink his stance over Beckham and Ronaldo after omitting the high-profile pair from his first team plans.
"Beckham and Ronaldo have proved that they are great professionals and that they will give everything for this shirt," Raul added.
"We asked the club to talk to these players personally because it is important to sort out the problems now and they said they would do that.
"It was a positive meeting that we hope will prove to be a turning point."
Real have been accused of leaking stories to the media about players turning up to training smelling of alcohol, and Raul has called on Los Merengues to show a united front after an embarrassing period in their rich history.
"The club hasn't dealt with this matter properly and has left doubts about the professionalism of the players.
"We the players are the first ones concerned about winning something. We want to work hard to win the league and the Champions League. Our message is that the club needs a period of tranquillity and stability."
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