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Orti furious at Dani's play-acting

VALENCIA president Jaime Orti has hit out at the play-acting of Real Betis striker Dani that led to the dismissal of Roberto Ayala.

The reigning champions lost 1-0 to Betis in Andalucia at the weekend, but their cause was not helped when Ayala barged into the back of Dani.

The Betis man was stretchered off with a neck brace on and looked to be seriously injured.

But when he reappeared for the start of the second half, Valencia's players were stunned as was Orti.

"It was a piece of pure theatre," said Orti.

"There are definitely some very bad decisions being made against us.

"There were two very bad tackles against our players in the Betis game and the referee did not whistle for either.

"It is an injustice.

"It would please me a lot if the Spanish Federation (RFEF) look at what happened and realise the truth. If not then the game's image will be lost.

"When Ayala does something wrong, I am the first to recommend a punishment. But when he is innocent we will stand up and defend him.

"Ayala is a phenonmenal sportsman and I think that the one that should be punished is the player that completely fooled the referee."