Sergio Ramos upset at 'unfair' red card despite Real Madrid victory

Posted Monday, February 18, 2013 by Goal.com

The Los Blancos defender was dismissed early on after scoring during his side's 2-0 win over Rayo on Saturday, and suggests his reputation may have earned him the two bookings

Sergio Ramos has claimed his reputation led to his early red card during Real Madrid's 2-0 win over Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.

The Spain international received two yellow cards withing minutes of one another after scoring his side's second goal, and felt guilty about letting down his team-mates.

He received the first caution for barging Roberto Trashorras off of the ball after 17 minutes, and then handled a cross soon after to get his marching orders and leave his side with 10 men for the majority of the game.

"I am hurt by the situation," he was quoted as saying by AS. "It is not normal for me to be sent off within two minutes. I'm not one to come in with hard tackles or to do something evil. It's easy to send off Sergio Ramos. It's worrying.

"It hurts me to have left my team-mates disadvantaged and to have forced changes. Spanish football deserves the best referees because we have the biggest players.

"Referees are required to interpret situations. My first card was completely unfair. You cannot leave a team with 10 men for that."

Madrid recorded 1-1 home draw in the first legs of their Copa del Rey semi-final with Barcelona and their Champions League last-16 tie with Manchester United, and Ramos is aware of the return fixture's significance.

"The two games are hugely important," he said. "We are the first ones to be convinced that we can progress in the Copa and in the Champions League."