Beckham was recalled last week after a month being frozen out by Real coach Fabio Capello and scored on his comeback, but this time was shown a red card three minutes into injury time in his first game in the Bernabeu for 58 days.

After falling on the edge of the area and claiming a penalty, Beckham was dismissed for the fourth time in La Liga since he joined Real Madrid in 2003 after petulantly scything away the legs of Betis' Jose Isidoro.

Beckham then aimed a bad-tempered kick at the tunnel leading to the dressing rooms as he left the field.

"I thought it was a foul in favour of Beckham and that precipitated the red card. I've seen it (Beckham's foul) on television and I don't think it was so serious," said Capello.

It was a bad end to an indifferent game for Beckham who couldn't match his performance of six days ago when he helped Real win 2-1 at Real Sociedad.

His most important contribution was when he provided the service for Ruud Van Nistelrooy but the Dutchman couldn't get over the ball and sent his half-volley against the bar after 64 minutes.

Three minutes later it was the turn of Betis to hit the woodwork when defender Nano Rivas struck the post.

Madrid were also given another big let off after 75 minutes when a shot by Betis' Fabrice Pancrate evaded the outstretched arms of Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas but his shot just missed its target.

The Frenchman's near-miss was the signal for the first white hankerchieves, the traditional sign of discontent at Spanish football matches, to start being waved by Real's supporters.

By the whistle, the Real fans were once again loudly calling for the head of Capello and Madrid president Ramon Calderon.

Beckham will definitely miss next Saturday's local derby against Atletico Madrid and also raises questions about whether he will start for Real in their Champions League last 16 first leg match against Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

The 29-time Spanish champions remain in third place, four points behind leaders Barcelona, but will slip back a place if Valencia beat Barca on Sunday.

By contrast, Real Betis are now unbeaten in six games and slowly clawing their way out of relegation trouble.

Barcelona fans will be hoping that some of the dressing room wounds that have been exposed this week will have healed by the time they face Valencia on Sunday as they bid for their third successive Spanish title.

The reigning European champions have a three point lead at the top of the table but Valencia have only lost one game at home this season, won seven of their last nine games, and lie fourth in the first division.

Three-time African Footballer of the Year Samuel Eto'o has been left out of the Barcelona squad that will make the trip down the Mediterranean coast.

Barca coach Frank Rijkaard said on Saturday that Eto'o had been left out of the squad to face the 2002 and 2004 Spanish champions at the player's own request, despite the public rift between the pair over the last week.

"Eto'o has told me he feels his fitness is improving but that he would prefer to stay in Barcelona to continue working to achieve his peak form," said Rijkaard.

Second-placed Sevilla, who started they year at the top of the table but who have since floundered, play host to Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

Sevilla's impressive right back Daniel Alves is suspended and club medical officials confirmed on Saturday that his fellow Brazilian international Adriano will be out for three weeks with small muscle tear in his left thigh.

Real Zaragoza contineud their challenge for a place in Europe next season with a 1-0 win over Villarreal later on Saturday.

Diego Milito got the only goal of the game, his 15th of the season, after 32 minutes, the Argentine striker tapping in a rebound from close range after Alberto Zapater had hit the post.