Cristiano Ronaldo Handed Two-Match Ban After Kicking Opponent In La Liga Clash

Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid has been given a two-match ban after being dismissed for kicking an opponent during the La Liga clash against Cordoba last Saturday. In that particular match, Ronaldo was unable to create an impact and his frustration saw him first lash out at Jose Angel Crespo, and then minutes later he kicked Edimar Fraga.

The Portuguese threw a punch at Crespo after they had a clash at a corner, which referee Alejandro Hernandez missed. After being shown the red card, Cristiano Ronaldo scuffled with two Cordoba players and reacted by showing off the “World Cup champions” badge on his jersey.

Match referee Hernandez did not witness the first incident and only reported the kick on Edimar Fraga in his match report. According to the match report of Hernandez, Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off because of kicking his rival off the ball in the minute 83. The Spanish Football Association committee did not ask for elaboration of the incidence anymore and gave Ronaldo the minimum punishment as reported by the Daily Mail. After Real Madrid won 2-1 because of the late Gareth Bale penalty and the 29-year-old, who was sent off when the score was still 1-1, apologised on Twitter after the game. Nevertheless, Cristiano Ronaldo was still given a two-game ban for kicking an opponent.

The Portuguese has been suspended for Real Madrid’s upcoming two La Liga matches against Sevilla on Saturday and Real Sociedad on Wednesday but he will be once again available for the derby with Atletico Madrid on Feb 7.

Ronaldo’s red card is his ninth and he has already eight more than Lionel Messi, who has never been sent off for Barcelona. Thus far, the Portuguese international has still some way to catch the record of Zinedine Zidane with 14 times record of being sent off.

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