The Spanish Football Federation decided to wipe clear a yellow card given to Beckham for time-wasting in last weekend's 4-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao, allowing the midfielder to avoid a suspension and play in Sunday's crunch match against Sevilla.

Ramos said the fact that his defender Julien Escude would not be allowed to play in the final of the UEFA Cup after picking up a booking in the closing minutes of his side's 2-0 win over Osasuna exposed the flaws in the Spanish system.

"In European football the rules are serious, but in Spain it is a joke," he told reporters after the game. "Everyone else has to obey the rules, so I don't understand why Real Madrid don't have to do the same."

Sevilla are in second place in the Primera Liga, a point ahead of Real in the standings and the result of Sunday's game could prove to be of decisive influence in the title race.

It is not the first time Beckham has received a reprieve after initially being banned for picking up a fifth yellow card.

Last season his red card given for clapping the referee against Valencia was overturned after the Appeals Committee adjudged it was not "sarcastic" and he played the next match against Deportivo Coruna.

Real Madrid sporting director Predrag Mijatovic also escaped punishment from the Federation on Thursday after his recent comments criticising referees for decisions that went against his side.

However, Valencia coach Quique Sanchez Flores was fined 600 euros ($820) for questioning the ability and integrity of a referee after a recent defeat against Athletic Bilbao.

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