Madrid lose appeal; Cristiano to serve the rest of his ban

The recently-formed Spanish Sport Ministry’s Administrative Court (TAD) waited until 14:00 hours CET to announce their decision on Real Madrid’s appeal to get Cristiano Ronaldo’s three-match ban reduced to two games. The eight-man jury voted in favour of maintaining the sentence, which means that Cristiano will not be able to play in this afternoon’s league game against Elche. Carlo Ancelotti had included the player in his squad list for the match in the hope that Madrid might win their appeal against the suspension meted out by the RFEF’s Competitions Committee on February 5.
The Committee handed Cristiano a one-match ban for striking Iturraspe (Article 123), and a second two-match ban for gesturing to the fourth match official as he made his way off-field.
Real Madrid decided not to request an injunction on the suspension, instead taking the case to the Spanish Ministry of Sport and Culture’s new Administrative Court (TAD). Cristiano had already served two of the three games he was banned from playing. He will complete the final part of the punishment by missing today’s visit from Elche (16:00 hours), thus freeing him to return for next week’s city derby meeting with Atlético.