[goldenHuddlestone]

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon criticised the clubs players and its fans and says David Beckham is going to Hollywood to be "half a film star" in a speech to university students on Tuesday.

His comments at the Villanueva University Centre were recorded without the knowledge of Real Madrid and later aired on national radio.

"There is vanity, egoism and they all think they are superstars," Calderon told the students.

"Real Madrid players never pay for anything. You (students) have education and culture and thats something that they in general dont possess."

Calderon took a swipe at Beckhams decision to leave Real and sign a five-year deal worth $250 million for MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy.

"Hes going to Hollywood to be half a film star," he said. "Our technical staff were right not to extend his contract and that has been proved by the fact that no other technical staff in the world wanted him except Los Angeles."

Calderon also went on to accuse former club president Florentino Perez of deliberately sabotaging his attempt to sign AC Milans Brazilian midfielder Kaka in the close season.

"Perez hasnt exactly given me any support," he said. "He spoke with (AC Milan president) Silvio Berlusconi so that he would renew Kakas contract and Berlusconi pressured him to sign."

Calderon added: "If I am still president in June it is very likely that Kaka will be join us."

The clubs fans did not escape Calderons ire with the Real chief saying that the Bernabeu faithful were too hard to please.

"Its a stadium where people go as if they were going to the theatre. The people dont support the team, not like in Italy and England."

Real issued a statement on their Web site (www.realmadrid.com) saying that they were surprised and disappointed that Calderons comments had been recorded and played on national radio.

"The president was only trying to help students understand the importance of management in a business as big as that of Real Madrid," the club said.

Calderon was named Real Madrid president last July after a narrow victory in a controversial election in which the postal votes of club members were not counted because of possible irregularities.

A judge is due to make a ruling on the validity of the votes at the end of January. If they are counted Calderon could find himself replaced as president by one of his rivals.

[Matt the Thrasher]

Sounds like a Gerald Ratner moment.