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Cristiano Ronaldo has been banned for three games following his sending off for Real Madrid at Athletic Bilbao last weekend – but was free to play in yesterday evening’s Copa del Rey semifinal first leg ‘derbi’ at the Bernabeu. Ronaldo, celebrating his 29th birthday yesterday, was uncertain whether he would be able to play in the match, with his punishment for the red card shown for raising a hand during a confrontation with Carlos Gurpegi and Ander Iturraspe in Sunday’s 1-1 draw still undecided that morning.
Spain’s competition committee met to make their decision and opted for a three-match La Liga suspension – one for raising a hand and two for a gesture made as he left the field, which the authorities said was a “disconsideration.”
A four-game ban that includes the Copa match could have been imposed, but the eventual decision means that, subject to an appeal, he will miss games against Villarreal at home, Getafe away and Elche at home.
Madrid are reportedly set to appeal, with that hearing likely to take place tomorrow morning. They had hoped for a lesser ban, and their legal experts had reportedly prepared a defence including apparent errors in referee Miguel Angel Ayza Gamez’s report and an argument that Ronaldo’s gesture towards an assistant referee had been just a show of frustration.
However, AS reported that the referee had been allowed to make corrections to his report after Madrid had presented their case.
But Colchoneros chief Enrique Cerezo told Marca he wanted the Real star to appear, saying: “I hope Cristiano plays, because that will be a great spectacle. He is one of the best players in the world.”
Atletico coach Diego Simeone would not be drawn on the issue at his pre-game news conference, but said: “Madrid could argue they are coming in as favourites. They have had a very strong January and have picked up a lot of points. Their coach has found a system, 4-3-3, which makes the forwards they have more powerful. Madrid are better, that is normal.”
Simeone – whose side are unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions against Madrid and Barcelona – said each game against one of Spain’s “big two” helped his players improve.
Madrid president Florentino Perez said he expected former Atletico and Spain coach Luis Aragones, who died last weekend, to be remembered fondly at the game.
“I would like this derby to serve as a homage to Luis Aragones,” he told the club’s official website. “He marked a before and an after in the history of the national team.”
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich have told more than 5,000 standing season ticket-holders that their tickets will be taken away from them if they do not attend at least eight Bundesliga games per season.
The club want to stop fans from attending only the season’s biggest games and leaving their space vacant for the rest of the season.
Terrace season tickets at the Allianz Arena – which could have its capacity increased to 75,000 in the near future – cost 140 euros, with 1,600 further standing tickets sold on matchdays.
Around 10,000 Bayern fans are on a waiting list for season tickets, media director Markus Hoerwick told Sport1 – and officials have decided to impose the minimum attendance plan in the interests of fairness.
When Bayern visit Arsenal in the Champions League later this month, their fans will have their ticket prices subsidised – Bayern are putting 90,000 euros towards the cost.- Soccernet.
Online Reporter