RONALDO HIT WITH FIVE-GAME BAN FOR SHOVE ON REFEREE
▶ Portuguese forward now set to miss start of Real Madrid’s title defence after being punished for reaction to being sent off against Barcelona in Super Cup first leg
Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo will serve a five-game suspension after pushing the referee following his dismissal during Sunday’s Super Cup first leg against Barcelona.
Ronaldo, having already been cautioned for taking his shirt off after scoring in the 3-1 win at Camp Nou, was shown a second yellow card in the 82nd minute for diving after going down under pressure from Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti.
The Portugal international responded to his dismissal by shoving referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea in the back before making his way off the pitch and that action has proven rather costly.
The Spanish football federation (RFEF) has now handed the 32-yearold a ban of five matches - one for the double booking and another four for pushing the official.
Ronaldo was found guilty by the RFEF of ‘Violation of article 96 of the Disciplinary Code’, which relates to using “mild force” against the officials, including grabbing, pushing or shaking.
In his report of the incident to the RFEF, De Burgos Bengoetxea wrote “Once the red card was shown, said player pushed me slightly in a sign of disagreement”.
The offence carries a ban of up to 12 matches, with Ronaldo being handed the minimum punishment of four games by the RFEF for his transgression.
Ronaldo, who has now been sent off 10 times in his career, has also been fined €3,805 (Dh16,400) for the two sanctions, with Real fined €1,750.
Real and Ronaldo have 10 business days to appeal against the ruling, the RFEF added.
He will now miss the second leg of the Super Cup against Barcelona at the Bernabeu tomorrow night, as well as Real’s opening four Primera Liga matches.
The reigning Spanish and European champions begin their title defence at Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday, before then taking on Valencia, Levante and Real Sociedad with the Portuguese forward now not available for action until the middle of next month.
Ronaldo’s manager Zinedine Zidane had said post-match on Sunday that he had disagreed with decision to dismiss his striker, and they had planned to appeal the red card, prior to yesterday’s announcement.
“Ronaldo’s sending-off annoys me because even if it is not a penalty, the card is harsh,” said Zidane.
“We will see if we can do something so that he is available on Wednesday.”