Europe's Ryder Cup committee was criticised by some leading players on the European tour last night over Miguel Angel Martin's dropping from the team. The tour's tournament committee, which includes Colin Montgomerie and Sam Torrance and is chaired by Mark James, announced after a three-hour meeting they did not agree with the decision to axe Martin two weeks ago.

The Spaniard was removed from the side to take on the United States at Valderrama next week for failing to take a fitness test.

Ken Schofield, the tour's executive director and the man who, on behalf of the Ryder Cup committee, wrote to Martin to say he was being dropped, said the tournament committee had decided it should have been up to the player himself to make the decision on whether he was fit or not.

"That will be conveyed to the Ryder Cup committee in due course," added Schofield.

Martin's fight for compensation now looks even more certain to continue. From his Madrid home last night, he commented: "The tournament committee is with me and thinks it's a bad decision, but what can I do? They've taken my place.

"I want to wait until I've spoken to my lawyers tomorrow before saying any more."

Schofield confirmed that Martin would be entitled to the £3,500 expenses given to other members of the Ryder Cup team, plus the uniform. He has also been issued with an invitation to next week's match.

As for the offer, Martin stated: "No way will I settle for that. No way."

But Michael Friend, general counsel for the tour, said: "I don't think this makes any difference to his claim for compensation. I don't think he is entitled to any compensation."

Schofield described the affair as "an unprecedented situation", adding: "We've never had a situation where a qualified player has not been competing."

Martin last played at the Open in mid-July and on August 5th underwent an operation on his injured wrist.

He hung on to the 10th and last automatic place, but two days after the end of the qualifying period - and over three weeks before the match - Martin was told he was being stood down and replaced by Jose Maria Olazabal.

That in turn enabled Seve Ballesteros to give wild cards to both Nick Faldo and Jesper Parnevik, giving Europe what looks on paper to be their strongest side.

Martin's withdrawal from the British Masters starting at the Forest of Arden today confirmed that there was little chance of his recovering in time. But in an angry exchange of words Martin claimed that captain Ballesteros was behind the decision.

James, one of Ballesteros' right-hand men next week, had said prior to the meeting: "I'm in two minds about it. In one respect I feel sorry for the guy. He has earned his spot and you feel he should be able to judge whether or not he is fit.

"On the other hand it is not unreasonable to subject someone to pass a fitness test if they are doubtful. There has to be a fitness test or a deadline somewhere along the track. I see both sides of it."