Ronaldo’s appeal against five-match ban rejected

MADRID:Cristiano Ronaldo will be suspended for Real Madrid’s Spanish Super Cup, second leg against Barcelona on Wednesday evening after his appeal against a five-game ban was dismissed.

The Spanish football federation’s (RFEF) appeals committee “dismissed the appeal presented by Real Madrid”, the RFEF said in a statement on Wednesday.

Ronaldo will also be absent when Madrid begin their defence of La Liga on Sunday at Deportivo la Coruna as well as home games against Valencia and Levante and a trip to Real Sociedad.

‘NO PROGRESS ON SANCHEZ CONTRACT’ LONDON: Arsenal risk losing striker Alexis Sanchez for free next season, according to manager Arsene Wenger, who confirmed the club have made no progress on a new contract for the Chilean striker.

Sanchez, 28, is currently in the final year of his contract. He has been linked with a move to Paris St Germain in the current transfer window. “At the moment, he is a player who goes into the final year of his contract and prepares for the season. We have not made any progress on the other front,” Wenger said in a news conference before Arsenal head to Stoke City on Saturday. “It’s not an ideal situation on the financial side and it demands some sacrifice... but it doesn’t mean the players who are in the final year of their contract will not extend their contract.”

EVERTON BREAKS BANK TO SIGN SIGURDSSON LIVERPOOL: Everton manager Ronald Koeman said he expects Gylfi Sigurdsson to boost the club’s goal-scoring options after the attacking-midfielder completed his medical before he transfers from Swansea City.

Sigurdsson will move to Goodison Park after the two clubs agreed a fee of about 45 million pounds ($57.84 million), a record for Everton, according to the British media. The 27-year-old played a key part in Swansea’s avoiding relegation last season, scoring nine goals and 13 assists.

GUNDOGAN RETURNS IN MAN CITY FRIENDLY MANCHESTER: Ilkay Gundogan made his first appearance in eight months for Manchester City on Tuesday when he came on as a second-half substitute against Girona in a friendly in Spain.

The midfielder, who suffered knee ligament damage against Watford last December, could be in contention for a place in the squad for Monday’s home tie against Everton.

JESE JOINS STOKE ON LOAN FROM PSG

PARIS: Jese has joined Stoke City on a season-long loan from PSG, the two clubs announced on Wednesday. “Jese was a man in demand when PSG made it clear they would allow him to leave on loan and we’re delighted he has chosen to join us,” said Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes. “He hasn’t had the happiest of periods in his career in Paris but he’s still only a young man.”