Ronaldo’s five-match ban upheld

After an unsuccessful appeal against Cristiano Ronaldo’s five-match suspension, the striker will sit out of the second leg of the Supercopa and Real Madrid’s next four fixtures.

The Portugal international saw red at the Camp Nou after picking up two yellow cards, the second one coming after the forward was harshly adjudged to have simulated a penalty in the opposition box.

The dismissal earned Ronaldo a one-match ban, which saw four games added on for subsequently pushing referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea.

The suspension has caused outrage at Real Madrid, but there was little hope of overturning the Spanish FA’s initial verdict. The Blancos’ appeal has been maintained by the Spanish Football Federation’s appeals committee who met together on Wednesday.

Cristiano Ronaldo will miss his team’s Spanish Supercopa return fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu as well as Real Madrid’s first four La Liga matches.