RONALDO SEES RED
Described variously as “unfortunate, scandalous and absurd”, the straight red card that Juventus talisman Cristiano Ronaldo received in the away match against Valencia was his first in 154 matches in Champions League. HT looks at some talking points assoc
MINIMUM CONTACT, MAXIMUM PUNISHMENT
The off-the-ball incident involving Ronaldo and Valencia defender Jeison Murillo escalated after the latter fell to the ground theatrically and the Portuguese star urged him to get up by patting his head. To many it looked as if Ronaldo had grabbed Murillo’s hair. The Valencia defender rose up in complaint.
Referee Felix Brych, who had his back to the incident, consulted his additional assistant, who was standing near the goal – a good 20 yards away, and on his advice deemed it a violent conduct on part of Ronaldo and brandished the dreaded card. FRUSTRATION BUILDING UP FOR RONALDO?
Ronaldo had moved from Real Madrid to Juventus with lot of fanfare and is under tremendous pressure because of the huge expectations, including winning the European title, which the club had last won in 1995-96. In his four matches so far, however, the Portuguese has managed to score only two goals.
Though many felt that Ronaldo’s actions did not deserve a red card, it is no denying that it was his frustration with the situation that led him to make contact with Murillo, giving Valencia players a chance to make the most of it.
WHAT NEXT?
The red card means, Ronaldo gets an automatic one-game Champions League ban, which will result in him missing Juventus' home game against Young Boys on October 2.
The case will be dealt with by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (UCED), which has opened an inquiry and will announce its decision on September 27. If Ronaldo's behaviour is adjudged to be overly aggressive then UCED could extend his ban for an additional one or two ties. This would mean he could miss one or both the games against former club Manchester United on October 23 and November 7. APPEAL POSSIBLE FOR JUVENTUS
Though Juventus can’t appeal against the one-match ban, it can take up issues with UEFA if the same is extended by the disciplinary panel.
But considering that it involved a minimum contact between the two players, such an appeal may not be needed.