Real Madrid: Atlético fume at Valverde's one-match ban
Atlético Madrid are deeply bemused that Fede Valverde has not been given a longer suspension for his Spanish Super Cup final sending-off.
Atlético Madrid are unhappy that Real Madrid's Fede Valverde has escaped with just a one-match ban for his Spanish Super Cup final sending-off.
Valverde sent off for professional foul on Morata
In the closing stages of Sunday's final - which Madrid won on penalties after a 0-0 draw - Valverde was red carded for scything down Atlético's Álvaro Morata as the striker raced clear of Los Blancos' defence, with referee José María Sánchez Martínez writing in his post-match report that the Uruguayan was dismissed for "bringing down an opponent and denying him a clear goal-scoring opportunity".
This description of the foul led the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to apply article 114.1 of its Disciplinary Code - a provision which governs straight red cards for offences of a lesser degree of severity - in its ruling on the length of Valverde's ban.
However, Atlético feel Sánchez Martínez's summary of the incident does not reflect the damage that Valverde could have done to Morata, and feel the RFEF should have applied article 123, which recommends suspensions of up to three matches for challenges that "are dangerous but do not have harmful consequences".
Valverde challenge "wasn't nice", Zidane admits
The player himself apologised after the Super Cup final for bringing down Morata in such a manner, while Real Madrid's head coach, Zinedine Zidane, admitted the tackle "wasn't nice, but he had to do it".
Valverde, 21, will miss Madrid's LaLiga match against Sevilla on Saturday.