Sergio Ramos prefers Premier League referees

Ramos was sent off for a record-equalling 18th time.

Following his dismissal in Sunday’s La Liga clash at Deportivo, Sergio Ramos has suggested that referees in England are more lenient than in Spain.

The Real Madrid captain received a second booking for elbowing Borja Valle while challenging for an aerial ball, equalling the record of 18 La Liga red cards.

‘In some areas we need to look more at English football and let the players play on more, I like their system better. In Europe referees are more tolerant’, Ramos said after the game.

He was initially booked for slapping Schar in a scuffle, but disagreed with the second yellow: ‘I don’t agree with the [second] yellow card, it was harsh, but I respect the opinion of the referee. I have no intention of hurting him, I just supported myself, but you learn from everything’.

Explaining the incident with Schar, which happened while Bakkali lay injured on floor, the defender said: ‘We didn’t kick the ball out because they didn’t do it [earlier in the game]. They ran after me, Schar headbutted me and all I did was push him out the way without trying to hurt him’.