LONDON: Cristiano Ronaldo was banned for five matches for pushing the referee after he was shown a red card against Barcelona in Real Madrid’s 3-1 Spanish Super Cup first leg victory on Sunday.
Ronaldo was sent off in bizarre fashion, collecting a yellow card for taking his shirt off during a goal celebration before being shown a second for diving.
Upset by referee Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea’s decision to dismiss him, Ronaldo shoved the official, which landed him in further hot water.
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) issued Ronaldo with a e3005 fine and a four-match suspension in addition to the automatic one-game ban the player was due to serve for his red card.
Ronaldo will miss the Super Cup second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu tomorrow and the club’s first four La Liga matches.
Having featured in the Confederations Cup for Portugal, the striker only returned to training earlier this month. He came on as a substitute in the Uefa Super Cup win over Manchester United on August 8.
Meanwhile, former referee Graham Poll argued Ronaldo should have recieved a heavier sanction.
“Cristiano Ronaldo enjoys the adoration of millions of fans - and he must understand the responsibility that comes with it. That did not look to be the case when he pushed the referee after being booked for removing his shirt to celebrate a goal and receiving a second yellow card for diving,” said Poll.
“In the circumstances, I am disappointed he hasn’t been hit with the heaviest sanction possible - 12 matches. He has got away lightly with a five-match ban for assaulting the match official.
“Rather than appeal against the second yellow (as is permitted in Spain, but thankfully not in England), Madrid’s management should tell Ronaldo to stop collecting cautions for removing his shirt. Yes, we all know he looks wonderful, but we don’t need reminding every week.
“It also leaves him susceptible to soft second yellow,” said Poll. “Footballers must understand that touching, pushing or striking a match official is unacceptable and a five-match ban does not help.
“Youngsters all over the world watch and copy Ronaldo. Such a high-profile player must be shown that he needs to be a good role model.” - Reuters & Daily Mail