Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off for what appeared to be an innocuous incident for Juventus against Valencia in their Champions League clash at the Mestalla in Spain on Wednesday night.
Ronaldo was reduced to tears when German referee Felix Brych decided to give the Portuguese star a straight red card after he was involved in a scuffle with Valencia defender Jeison Murillo in the 29th minute.
Players get an automatic two-match ban for a straight red card, which means Ronaldo will miss the clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
But it would be a surprise if Juventus don’t appeal the decision.
Murillo was trying to hold Ronaldo back as the former Real Madrid star tried to make his way into the box.
As Ronaldo attempted to move away from his opponent, Murillo suddenly went down in a heap, where after Ronaldo remonstrated with the Colombian centreback, with TV replays showing he grabbed Murillo’s hair.
This is not worthy of a red card. I’m in shock! @IFTVofficial @ESPNFC @Gelo717 @juventusfc @TheCalcioGuy @Cristiano @ChampionsLeague @Adz77 pic.twitter.com/7TIln6h5r3
— Anthony F (@bx_juventino) September 19, 2018
With the ball nowhere near the duo, Brych consulted with an assistant referee and then dramatically hauled out his red card, which left Ronaldo flabbergasted.
He sat on the ground and shook his head, stunned by what appeared to be a strange decision by the referee, and he eventually left the field with tears in his eyes.
Cristiano #Ronaldo’s red card incident. Listen to the commentators right at the end. #UCL pic.twitter.com/1GoGrRPk18
— Sam Baig (@USA_Baig) September 19, 2018
Ironically enough, Brych awarded Juventus a penalty just before halftime after Daniel Parejo was booked for a foot-up challenge on Joao Cancelo.
Miralem Pjanic stepped up to convert it and give Juventus a 1-0 lead at the break.