Cristiano Ronaldo loses appeal against five-match ban after pushing referee

The Uruguay global suffered the blow as Barcelona were beaten 2-0 by Real Madrid in the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup as Barca’s arch-rivals won the tie 5-1 on aggregate.

While the controversy surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo’s five-match suspension is unlikely to calm down anytime soon, Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has little option but to get on with the task at hand against Barca.

Following his tax problems, Ronaldo has become sour with life in Spain, which prompted reports that he was ready to quit Real Madrid.

Fans and pundits have also expressed their frustration, claiming that Ronaldo’s second yellow card was unmerited as there was contact with Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti when he fell to the ground.

His response to the second booking – pushing referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea from behind – meant that Ronaldo will be banned four additional games.

Cristiano Ronaldo has accused the Spanish FA of “persecution” after it upheld what he believes is an “exaggerated and ridiculous” five-match ban for manhandling a referee.

Zidane, meanwhile, has said that no more players will leave the club now, with the transfer window set to close on 31st August. We’re upset that we are not going to have him with us for a long time. I’ve been very clear in my response. Few in the team could be accused of lacking ambition ahead of the new campaign, in which they are hoping to become the first Spanish team to complete a sextuplet of gongs in a single campaign. “The disciplinary committee is going to meet tomorrow and after that we’ll see what we’re going to do”.

With Ronaldo not available Zidane has selected three forwards for Wednesday’s match, with Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema being joined by Lucas Vazquez on the 19-man list. “What happened, happened, but when you look at the fact that Cristiano Ronaldo has got five matches, you have to admit that it is a lot”. However, if they continue with the lacklustre displays shown against Real Madrid recently, they could yet fall further behind their rivals.