Zidane shows Real anger over Ronaldo’s 5-game ban
MADRID: Zinedine Zidane showed his anger over a fivematch ban imposed on Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo for pushing the referee in Sunday’s Spanish Super Cup first leg.
Ronaldo scored as a substitute in Madrid’s 3-1 win over Barcelona at Camp Nou, but was sent off after he shoved official Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea. The Spanish football federation hit Ronaldo with a four-match suspension on top of the automatic onegame ban.
“We are very annoyed. I’m not going to have a go at the referees, but when you look and see what happened, to think Cristiano is not going to play five games ... Something happened there, I’m annoyed,” Madrid coach Zidane told a news conference on Tuesday.
Ronaldo got one yellow card when he took off his shirt after scoring his goal, then a second moments later for diving. After he was ordered off, he pushed De Burgos Bengoetxea, which led to the suspension.
Madrid appealed the suspension and the RFEF committee will respond this morning, meaning Ronaldo could feature in the second leg tonight at the Bernabeu.
Asked if he believed the ban was designed to single out Ronaldo, Zidane said, “I don’t know, I don’t think so and I hope not, I hope they did it with conscience and because they are doing their jobs, but well, in the end what sticks with me is the five games.”
Defender Dani Carvajal defended Ronaldo, who he claimed was being harshly punished for his sixth red card in a Madrid shirt.
“It’s an excessive ban and a frustrating situation. He didn’t have to be sent off,” said the Spaniard.
“We hope it’s reduced and he’s back in action soon.” – Reuters