Ahead of the decision by the Spanish FA, FC Barcelona's Gerard Pique gave his take on the situation, saying:
"Even on TV it looked dubious. I know Cristiano; he raised his hand, but it wasn't a big deal, it wasn't violent conduct."
Real Madrid sporting director Miguel Pardeza added more, during an interview with Canal Plus. He declared:
"It seemed simply unfair to me, if anyone deserved a red card, it was the one who started it off. Cristiano should have stayed on the pitch.
"It seems to me that Gurpegi is the first to put his hands on Cristiano's chest, and then tries to trick the referee as he exaggerates. We must have another look at the incident, calmly, and our legal department will decide whether to appeal or not."
But in the end, the referee's controversial report won the judges. What is unclear in Miguel Angel Ayza Gamez's report is why he sent off Ronaldo; for his initial clash with Carlos Gurpegi or for his second clash with Ander Iturraspe? Real Madrid officials slammed this issue as a "change in the referee's report". Gamez did not specify the name (Gurpegi or Iturraspe) when he wrote:
"In the 75th minute the player [seven] Dos Santos Aveiro, Cristiano Ronaldo, was sent off for the following reason: hitting an opponent in the face with his hand, while play was stopped.
"After having been sent off the No. 7 of Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo Dos Santos Aveiro, while he was leaving the pitch, struck himself various times with the palm of his hand in the face, directing this to the fourth official."
Meanwhile, video evidence from Deportes Cuatro proves that the fourth official had his back turned when Ronaldo made the gesture which translates as "you've got a nerve". So to whom was it addressed?
See below:
The verdict:
As stated on La Liga BBVA's website, Cristiano Ronaldo will miss three matches.
"The Competition Committee has punished Cristiano Ronaldo with a one-game ban for the red card shown by referee Ayaz Gamez for taking a swipe at Athletic player Ander Iturraspe, and a two-game ban for the gesture he made while leaving the field, according to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF)."
He will miss Real Madrid's games at home to Villarreal on February 8, away to Getafe on February 16 and at home to Elche on February 22. However, Real Madrid's appeal will be heard on Friday, February 7.
Breaking down the incident:
1) Benzema plays the ball to Ronaldo.
2) Ronaldo bounces the ball off Gurpegi's legs.
3) Ronaldo raises his hand to the ref, apparently claiming that Gurpegi handed the ball.
4) Gurpegi refutes this wrong claim by pushing Ronaldo's chest.
5) Ronaldo reacts by slapping Gurpegi's face.
6) Gurpegi falls down, perhaps too easily.
7) Ronaldo gestures to say that Gurpegi dived.
8) Iturraspe confronts Ronaldo with his elbows and forehead.
9) Ronaldo reacts by scratching Iturraspe's face as well.
10) Players from both teams crowd and separate the two men.
Verdict: The referee arrives. He flashes the yellow card to Iturraspe and the red card to Cristiano Ronaldo.
If you were the referee, how would you judge this incident?
