Zidane Zidane: Banning Real Madrid from next season's Champions League would be absurd

French manager insists he is not considering any sanctions by Uefa after the collapse of the European Super League spearheaded by club president Perez

Fans gather outside the stadium to protest against the European Super League prior to the La Liga match between Cadiz and Real Madrid on Wednesday, April 21. Getty

Fans gather outside the stadium to protest against the European Super League. Getty

Fans gather outside the stadium to protest against the European Super League. Getty

The Cadiz team bus is welcomed in by fans prior to the La Liga match against Real Madrid. Getty

Fans gather outside the stadium to protest against the European Super League prior to the La Liga match between Cadiz and Real Madrid. Getty

Cadiz's Alvaro Negredo, left, and Salvi Sanchez wear t-shirts that read in Spanish: "Super League? Soccer belongs to everyone" and "Soccer belongs to supporters" prior to the match. AP

Karim Benzema scores their first goal against Cadiz rom the penalty spot. Reuters

Real Madrid's Alvaro Odriozola celebrates scoring their second goal against Cadiz. Reuters

Karim Benzema scores the third. Reuters

Karim Benzema celebrates. Reuters

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez arrives at a radio station to give an interview. Reuters

Zinedine Zidane has said the idea that Real Madrid could be banned from next year's Champions League is "absurd" after the attempt to form a breakaway competion collapsed in spectacular fashion.

Real president Florentino Perez was the driving force behind the European Super League that launched last week, sparking an angry backlash from fans, players and managers across the continent.

Madrid will host Chelsea in Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg, with the threat of expulsion from next term's competition by Uefa still hanging over their heads.

"It's absurd to think that we won't be in the Champions League next season," Zidane said on Monday.

"A lot has been said, but all we can do is focus on tomorrow's game. We're not in control of the rest so there's always going to be talk, but for me of course you want to see Madrid in next season's Champions League.

"The president [Perez] knows what I feel [about the Super League] in my heart. We're just focused on tomorrow's game.

"The rest is not that we are not interested, it's just not the moment to talk about it."

Perez was one of the main protagonists in driving the failed Super League, that was launched on Sunday, April 18 but fell apart just 48 hours later.

England's 'big six' clubs had signed up to the project, but Chelsea and Manchester City withdrew on Tuesday and the plans quickly crumbled.

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Real have yet to officially admit defeat on the Super League, with Perez insisting the project will be revived and that the 12 clubs have signed a "binding contract" to its formation.

Asked if Real face any embarrassment over the lingering situation, Zidane replied: "We have a match tomorrow, I'm sorry but I'm not going to answer about that. Right now people are talking a lot about whether we will be in the competition next year or not.

"We have to pay attention to tomorrow's match. We don't control that, there's going to be a lot of conversation, and I'm just giving my opinion.

"We want to see Real Madrid in the next Champions League, and that's it."

Local media have suggested referees might now treat Real differently but the Frenchman brushed aside those suggestions.

"The only thing that's important to us is what goes on on the pitch," he said. "The referee will do his job and we're just thinking about playing football. If we start thinking about everything that's being said, if we think that will go against us and we'll be punished, then we'll mess up.

"We'll fight in this game for 90 minutes and won't get involved in the rest."

Former Chelsea talisman Eden Hazard is finally fit after the latest in a litany of debilitating injuries in his two seasons at Madrid.

And Zidane revealed the Belgium playmaker is finally unimpeded, just in time to take on his old club.

"He played 20 minutes the other day and he felt quite good," said Zidane. "The most important thing is that he doesn't feel anything about his problem.

"He's quite well, he's with us, he's happy to be with us and contribute to the team a lot."

Hazard came off the bench during the goalless draw against Real Betis on Saturday to play his first 15 minutes in almost three months.

"He played with spark, with energy," said Zidane. "We're going to need him."

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