Competition Committee upholds Varane bookings
Real will take their case against his sending-off in the win over Athletic to the RFEF's Appeals Committee and, if unsuccessful, to Spain's Administrative Court for Sport.
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Competition Committee has upheld the two yellow cards that saw Real Madrid's Raphael Varane sent off in their La Liga victory over Athletic Club on Saturday.
Madrid had moved to contest the bookings, both picked up in aerial challenges with Athletic striker Aritz Aduriz, arguing that neither constituted a cautionable offence.
As things stand, the one-match ban incurred by the Frenchman's dismissal leaves him suspended for Los Blancos' league clash with Málaga on Sunday (16:00 CET).
But with doubts over whether sidelined defender Pepe will be back in time for the trip to La Rosaleda, the club plan to take their case to the RFEF's Appeals Committee.
If this body finds against them, Madrid could even go on to bring their appeal before Spain's Administrative Court for Sport (TAD), and ask for his suspension to be put on hold while it examines the case, enabling him to play against Málaga.
However, this would represent a risky move for Real, as it could end up with Varane being banned the following week, when they face Atlético in the Madrid derby.