Real Madrid rule out bid to have Cristiano ban placed on hold

Real Madrid have opted not to request an interim order suspending Cristiano Ronaldo’s ban from the Spanish Sports Disciplinary Committee (CEDD). The decision has been taken to ensure the Portugal international’s availability for the Liga BBVA derby against Atlético Madrid on 2 March.
However, the club are to take their appeal against the three-match suspension to the authority, the highest judicial body in Spanish sport. This means that Cristiano will definitely be unavailable for Madrid’s league clash with Villarreal on Saturday.
Requesting an interim order to place the punishment on hold – pending further judgement – would have represented a risk, with Real Madrid aware that the CEDD could grant the order, thereby freeing up Cristiano to appear against Villarreal, only to uphold the suspension a week later after closer investigation of the matter. This would have caused his suspension to cover the matches against Getafe, Elche – and Atlético.
To avert this eventuality, Real Madrid will next week submit their appeal against the punishment set by the Spanish Football Federation’s disciplinary committees, but will not seek provisional measures – despite the fact that the forward will have served part of his suspension even if the CEDD finally rules in the club's favour.