Ronaldo slams ‘ridiculous’ five-match ban for pushing ref after appeal fails

Cristiano Ronaldo has called his five-match ban for pushing a referee “exaggerated and ridiculous” and claims he is being persecuted after failing to have the sanction overturned on appeal.

During sunday night’s super de Espana 3-1 first-leg victory over Barcelona, in which he had scored, Real Madrid forward Ronaldo reacted badly after being shown a second yellow for diving by match official Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, shoving the Spaniard in the back.

A Spanish football federation committee has now dismissed an appeal, meaning Ronaldo missed last night’s Supercopa return leg against Barca and will be ruled out of the La Liga games against Deportivo La Coruna, Valencia, Levante and Real Sociedad.

Ronaldo, pictured, reacted angrily on social media, writing in an Instagram post on his official page: “It’s impossible to stay quiet in this situation, five matches! To me it seems exaggerated and ridiculous, this is what you call persecution! Thanks to my team-mates and to the fans for the support.” Ronaldo was found guilty of ‘Violation of article 96 of the Disciplinary Code’, which relates to using “mild force” against the officials, including grabbing, pushing or shaking. He has also been fined €3,805 (£3,459), with Real fined €1,750 (£1,590). Real boss Zinedine Zidane said: “I am and we are very upset. I’m not going to get involved with the referees but, after what happened, to think that he’ll not play for five games makes you think that something isn’t right.

“What happened, happened, but when you look at the fact that Cristiano Ronaldo has got five matches, you have to admit that it is a lot.”