Raul calls for respect from Real

The Real Madrid captain, Raul, has called for the club to behave in a more serious and respectful manner following the incendiary comments made by the president, Ramon Calderon, about the players, especially David Beckham, this week.

"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 said. "A club with [our] history and tradition needs to behave differently."

Calderon told a student conference on Tuesday that Real players were vain and self-centred, and described Beckham as "half a film star". Tomorrow, Real visit Real Mallorca.

Beckham is already facing resentment from some Los Angeles Galaxy players over his vast new pay deal. The Galaxy midfielder Peter Vagenas, who earns £64,000 a year in stark contrast to Beckham's £25.5m agreed yearly package, said: "There is resentment. If people said no, they would be lying. But a wise man once said you are worth what you negotiate. On the one hand you would say more power to him but on the other hand you think, 'Why can't I be earning that?'"

Real were yesterday fined and threatened with stadium closure by the Spanish Football Federation after objects were thrown on to the pitch in the King's Cup tie against Real Betis.