Zidane: Bale declined to play

Zidane said it was Bale who chose not to play in Madrid's 3-1 friendly defeat to Bayern on Saturday.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has denied disrespecting Wales star Gareth Bale as he discussed the expected transfer of the 30-year-old forward from the La Liga giants on Monday.

Speaking to reporters on the eve of Real Madrid s friendly with Arsenal at FedEx Field -- home of the NFL s Washington Redskins -- Zidane said it was Bale who chose not to play in Madrid s 3-1 friendly defeat to Bayern in Houston on Saturday.

"I did not disrespect anyone, least of all Gareth," a frustrated-sounding Zidane said. "I said that the club is working to facilitate Bale s departure, nothing more.

"The other day, Gareth did not dress for the game, he did not want to because the club was negotiating his departure," he added.

Zidane had been branded a "disgrace" by Bale s agent for his comments after the Saturday match, when he said he hoped Bale s move from the club happened soon "for everyone s sake."

"He shows no respect for a player that has done so much for Real Madrid," agent Jonathan Barnett fumed.

Bale has been frozen out in Madrid by Zidane despite helping his side to a Spanish title and four Champions Leagues since arriving from Tottenham Hotspur six year ago.

His brace, including a brilliant bicycle kick, sank Liverpool in the 2018 final, but he was shunted aside by Zidane as soon as he returned to the Real bench in early March.

After Zidane s reappointment, Bale played 90 minutes in just three of the remaining 11 matches, was left out completely four times and frequently substituted when he did play.

"Today, he is a Real Madrid player," Zidane said, adding that the striker would train with the team Monday night.