Real to ditch Chile leg of pre-season tour

MADRID, July 10 (Reuters) Real Madrid have cancelled a pre-season exhibition match in Chile after new coach Fabio Capello opposed the plan.

Real were scheduled to play promotional matches in both Chile and the United States in August as part of their preparations for next season.

''Although the club recognises that the exploitation of the brand is important, we want to give priority to sporting matters,'' club president Ramon Calderon told Spanish state television yesterday.

''When Capello heard about the tour, he thought it was madness to travel from the United States to Chile so we have called it off.

Instead we will play two games in North America.'' Real announced in May that they will play Major League Soccer outfit Real Salt Lake on August 12, but the other game has yet to be finalised.

Under former president Florentino Perez, Real embarked on extensive pre-season tours of the Far East and North America as part of the club's policy of develop and expand its image across the globe.

Players and coaching staff complained that the tours had a negative effect on the team's performance during the season.

Reuters PM RS1540