Ronaldo banned for 5 games after pushing referee

Cristiano Ronaldo was banned for five games on Monday after shoving a referee following his red card for diving in Real Madrid's 3-1 win over Barcelona in the season-opening Spanish Super Cup.

Ronaldo was suspended for one game for the red card in Sunday's Super Cup first leg at Barcelona, and four games for pushing referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea in the back, the Spanish football federation said.

Ronaldo will miss Wednesday's return leg of the Super Cup in Madrid plus the first four matches of the Spanish league season.

Madrid opens the league on Sunday at Deportivo La Coruna. Its next three matches after that are against Valencia, promoted Levante, and at Real Sociedad.

Ronaldo and Madrid have 10 days to appeal the federation's ruling.

Still regaining peak fitness after an extended summer vacation, Ronaldo began the Super Cup match on the bench, and came on in the 58th minute.

He scored with a long-range strike to put Madrid 2-1 up moments after Lionel Messi had equalized for Barcelona from the penalty spot.

But Ronaldo's goal celebration — when he took his shirt off and flexed his muscles — earned him a yellow card.

Two minutes later, he charged into the area and collided with Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti. Ronaldo went down hoping for a penalty. Instead, referee De Burgos Bengoetxea showed Ronaldo a second yellow for diving and sent him off.

Ronaldo raised his arms in disbelief before he stepped up to De Burgos and shoved him in the back with his right hand.

The federation ruling said that Ronaldo's shove violated article 96 of its disciplinary code, which states that "light aggressions" defined as "pulling, pushing and shaking" of a referee are punished by suspensions of 4-12 matches.

The federation also fined Ronaldo 3,005 euros ($3,500) and Madrid 1,400 euros ($1,650) for the shove, and another 600 euros ($705) for the player and 350 euros ($412) for the club for simulating a foul.
CRISTIANO RONALDO'S 10 CAREER RED CARDS
Here, AFP sports takes a look at all of the World Player of the Year's 10 career dismissals.

1. Saturday, May 15, 2004, Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 2

Ronaldo scored in United's 2-0 win away to Aston Villa on the final day of the season, but was booked twice for diving and time wasting late on.

His first booking was eventually rescinded meaning he didn't have to serve a suspension.

2. Saturday, January 14, 2006, Manchester City 3 Manchester United 1

The Portuguese was shown a straight red card for a late challenge on former United favourite Andy Cole as the Red Devils went on to lose the Manchester derby 3-1.

3. Wednesday, August 15, 2007, Portsmouth 1 Manchester United 1

A straight red card and three-match ban was again dished out to Ronaldo for an apparent headbutt on Portsmouth midfielder Richard Hughes in a 1-1 draw at Fratton Park.

4. Sunday, November 30, 2008, Manchester City 0 Manchester United 1

Ronaldo saw red in a Manchester derby once more, this time for two bookable offences after a trip on Shaun Wright-Phillips and then an inexplicable handball.

5. December 5, 2009, Real Madrid 4 Almeria 2

A first red card in La Liga came in Ronaldo's debut season for two petulant late bookings coming after he had missed a penalty and also scored Los Blancos' fourth goal in a 4-2 win.

6. January 24, 2010, Real Madrid 2 Malaga 0

Just a month later Ronaldo doubled his count of red cards at the Bernabeu when he elbowed Malaga midfielder Patrick Mtiliga in the face as he tried to escape the Dane's clutches. Earlier, the Portuguese had scored both Madrid's goals in a 2-0 win.

7. May 17, 2013, Real Madrid 1 Atletico Madrid 2

On a disastrous night for Real as they lost a Madrid derby for the first time in 14 years, Ronaldo kicked out at Atletico captain Gabi in the final few minutes and was shown a straight red.

8. February 2, 2014, Athletic Bilbao 1 Real Madrid 1

Ronaldo was given a three-game ban after clashing with Athletic defender Carlos Gurpegi and then showing his disagreement with the referee when he was shown a straight red card as he left the field.

9. January 24, 2015, Cordoba 1 Real Madrid 2

Arguably his most violent discretion as he kicked out at Cordoba defender Edimar.

10. August 13, 2017, Barcelona 1 Real Madrid 3

Ronaldo packed plenty of action in a 24-minute appearance as a second-half substitute as he smashed into the top corner to give Madrid a 2-1 lead.

However, his decision to celebrate by removing his shirt to flex his muscles proved costly as he was booked and just two minutes later saw a second yellow card for diving in the referee's eyes in an attempt to win a penalty.