New Real blow for Beckham

Beckham was dismissed for swearing at a linesman

David Beckham has played his last game of the season for Real Madrid after being sent off in the 2-1 defeat at the hands of Murcia.

England captain Beckham was dismissed in the 36th minute of his side's Primera Liga match on Sunday for swearing at a linesman.

He will now miss Real's final game at home to Real Sociedad.

Beckham has been linked with a switch to Chelsea but Real have denied that they are ready to listen to offers.

Real Madrid sporting director Jorge Valdano apologised to the fans after his side slumped to their fourth successive league defeat - the club's worst run in their 102-year history.

Real have now slipped from second to third place in the table.

Valdano told the club's website: "It is difficult to find an explanation for what has happened to us in the last two months.

"All we can do is ask for forgiveness from Madrid fans and say to them that we will try to analyse what is happening."

The loss to already-relegated Murcia heaped further pressure on Real coach Carlos Queiroz.

Reports have suggested that he will be axed at the end of the season, with former Spain coach and long-time Real Madrid player Jose Antonio Camacho, who is currently at Benfica, tipped to replace him.

Beckham's dismissal marked the second time he has been sent off since joining Real at the start of the season and was the fourth in his professional career.

He was dismissed in the Copa del Rey against Valencia after receiving two yellow cards.

And Beckham also saw red during England's second-round defeat against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup finals in France.