The director of Spain's national centre for training coaches has denied suggestions his move to have Zinedine Zidane suspended was motivated by personal gain or a vendetta against the former France international.
Miguel Galan was behind the measure that saw Zidane suspended for three months from his role as Real Madrid Castilla boss due to not having the required coaching licence.
Accused of pursuing Zidane to gain publicity, Galan told RMC he was merely acting in accordance with the guidelines in place in Spain, and that those pointing fingers at him are wrong.
"I would say to them that I am treating this case with objectivity. It's a case brought on behalf of everyone, in the name of equality -- so that no one, as great a footballer as they are, is not above the law," Galan said.
"It's as if Fernando Alonso, a Formula One driver, drove at 400 kilometres-an-hour on Spanish motorways: he doesn't have the right to do that according to Spanish traffic regulations. I have nothing against Zidane or Real Madrid, but I have to defend the rights of coaches."
The French Football Federation (FFF) originally sent a letter to its Spanish counterpart defending Zidane, stating that he was following the appropriate coaching course in his native country.
With the letter having failed to save Zidane from a ban, FFF president Noel Le Graet published a statement on the governing body's official website, claiming UEFA regulations stipulate a coach who is taking his badges is allowed to work.
"It's a shame for European football that such an emblematic player as Zidane, who has decided to follow the French coaching course, which is recognised across the world, cannot carry out his work as UEFA allows," the statement read.
The 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 winner's ban has provoked a strong reaction from his compatriots, including friend and former teammate Fabien Barthez.
"It's pathetic," the ex-Manchester United goalkeeper told L'Equipe. "Zizou has done everything he was supposed to do: he watched the first team, then he took charge of the reserve team while taking his badges in France, so he's done all he can to get the required training.
"It's a real shame. For the footballer, but also for the man. It's really a state of mind, a way of doing things, to want to destroy."