Cristiano Ronaldo five-game ban: Real Madrid superstar slams his suspension for red card in Super Cup El Clasico against Barcelona saying it is ‘exaggerated’ and ‘ridiculous’
The Real Madrid superstar picked up two quick bookings against Barcelona, and then shoved the ref as he was going off
CRISTIANO RONALDO has slammed the Spanish FA for handing him a five-game ban after he was sent off in the Super Cup El Clasico, saying he feels he is being "persecuted".
The Real Madrid man was booked for taking his shirt off after scoring against Barcelona in the first leg, and was then shown a second yellow and subsequent red by ref Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea for simulation.
As he was walking off the pitch he then shoved the official, which was judged enough to warrant an extra four-game suspension in addition to the one game he would miss for the dismissal.
He shared a photo on his official Instagram page of the moment the referee brandished the red card.
Writing alongside the photo, translated into English, he said: "Impossible to not comment on this situation, five games!
"It seems to me exaggerated and ridiculous, this is called persecution."
He then expressed his "thanks"; to his team-mates and fans for their support in the aftermath of the ugly incident.
SunSport reported earlier this afternoon how the 32-year-old had failed to overturn the heavy punishment for his actions.
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Ronaldo, 32, was initially given a one-match suspension for his red card and a further four games were added for pushing the official.
Team-mate Dani Carvajal said Ronaldo’s ban has “f***ed” Real Madrid and deemed it an “excessive sanction”.
A £2,700 was also imposed on the current Ballon d’Or champion – but he can pay that back in just 75 minutes thanks to his £365,000-a-week wages.
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Ronaldo will next be in action for Real Madrid in their game against Real Betis on September 19.
That means that he will miss the Super Copa second leg against Barca at the Bernabeu as well four La Liga games including a home clash against Valencia.
Bengoetxea wrote in his report: “Once the red card was shown, the player pushed me slightly in a sign of disagreement.”
Spanish Super Cup betting tips
NO RONNIE? No problem.
Even with Cristiano Ronaldo suspended, Real Madrid will have little problem holding on their 3-1 aggregate lead tonight.
The truth is that Marco Asensio is becoming as important to Real these days and we like him at 6/1 for first scorer tonight.
Sun Bets have also boosted both teams to score in the first half.
It is now 2/1 and with Barcelona knowing they have to start fast we think that represents extremely good value.