Cristiano Ronaldo has escaped with just a two-game ban after his sending off in Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory at Cordoba on Saturday.
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The Portuguese was dismissed in the closing stages, before his team’s late winner via a Gareth Bale penalty, after kicking out at Cordoba defender Edimar following a frustrating afternoon for Los Blancos.
However, referee Alejandro Hernandez did not view the incident as violent conduct, regarding it instead as a “blow to an opponent
without the ball being in playing distance”, which carries a lesser penalty.
And La Liga’s disciplinary committee decided to uphold that verdict when they met yesterday.
Ronaldo will now be absent for upcoming home games against Real Sociedad and Sevilla, but crucially he will be available for a crunch clash with reigning champions Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon a week on Saturday.
The decision is sure to anger title rivals Atletico and Barcelona, with some Catalan media speculating before the verdict that Ronaldo could be suspended for as many as 12 matches.
Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti will now have to decide how to replace his leading scorer for Saturday’s home meeting with David Moyes’s Sociedad.
He has plenty of options, with Javier Hernandez eager for a rare start and Jese Rodriguez hoping for his first full game since returning from injury, while Isco or Bale could also be moved forward.
Meanwhile, Bale has brushed aside reports he is unhappy at Real Madrid and has no thoughts of leaving the European champions.
Bale has been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford with Manchester United reportedly keen to acquire his services.
However, Bale told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser: “I don’t see myself at Manchester United.
“I’m having a good time, we are winning trophies and I want to continue to do this at Real Madrid.
“I have many years left on my contract. I feel the support and love of the fans at the Bernabeu.”