Cristiano Ronaldo hit with five match ban
The Real Madrid No. 7 will miss the return leg of the Spanish Super Cup and the first four LaLiga 2017/18 games. Madrid are set to appeal.
The Spanish football Disciplinary Committee have sanctioned Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo with a five game ban after the Portuguese player's red card and subsequent push on match official De Burgos Bengoetxea at the end of last night's Spanish Super Cup (first leg) at Camp Nou.
The player from Madeira will now be forced to sit-out the return leg of the Super Cup at the Bernabeu on Wednesday along with new LaLiga season openers against Deportivo, Valencia, Levante and Real Sociedad.
RFEF verdict
The striker was initially carded in the 80th minute for removing his shirt and gesturing to the home fans after scoring for Madrid emulating that of Lionel Messi at the Santiago Bernabeu last season. Minutes later the Portuguese striker was carded again for a dive and then shoved match official De Burgos Bengoetxea.
The player's action violated Rule 96 which states that: "grabbing, pushing or tripping or any other violent gestures towards a match official will be issued with a playing suspension ranging from four to twelve matches".
The breakdown of the suspension was four games for the push on the referee and an additional game for the red card along with a fine of €1,400 for Real Madrid with the player being fined €3.005. The Santiago Bernabeu outfit are expected to launch a counter-appeal in a bid to have the ban reduced.
