Ronaldo may miss Atlético game

Posted Monday, January 26, 2015 by Marca.com

Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo could pay dearly for the player's sending off for lashing out at an opponent.

So much so that he is in danger of missing the derby game against Atlético. With a three-match ban looking a distinct possibility - although los Blancos think it will be two -, the Portuguese could miss key fixtures against Real Sociedad, Sevilla and Atlético.

Cristiano lost his rag towards the end of the game with the scores level at 1-1. He kicked out at Edimar in an off-the-ball incident and earned a straight red card. "In the 83rd minute, the player (7) Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off for the following reason: kicking out at an opposition player with no possibility of playing the ball", is what the match referee wrote in his post-match report.

Real Madrid's legal team are going to do everything in their power to limit any fall out.

The club will look to use a recent precedent set in similar circumstances to Cristiano's sending off. It happened last December during the Spanish Cup game between Valencia and Rayo Vallecano. Rodrigo kicked out in an off-the-ball incident and was sent off. The referee's report stated "for kicking out at an opposition player with no possibility of playing the ball". Rodrigo was handed a two-match ban.

The sending off was Cristiano's fifth in six seasons at Real Madrid. The last one came last season against Athletic.