08 February 2014

Referee Who Sent Ronaldo Off Suspended & Barred From Madrid Games

The referee who dismissed Cristiano Ronaldo in Real Madrid’s draw at Athletic Bilbao last weekend, Miguel Angel Ayza Gamez has been suspended amid suggestions he changed his story of the incident. The Spanish League’s Refereeing Technical Committee (CTA) has dropped Miguel Angel Ayza Gamez for a month and he has been barred from officiating Real Madrid’s matches this season.

According to reports in Spain, there is a real danger he could be demoted from the list of La Liga match officials following his poor handling of the game. Ronaldo was sent off for the eighth time in his career in the 75th minute of Sunday’s 1-1 draw at San Mames after he raised his hand to Bilbao captain Carlos Gurpegi, who fell to the floor theatrically.


He also confronted Bilbao midfielder Ander Iturraspe during an ugly melee.

Ayza Gamez is understood to have originally stated that he sent Ronaldo off for the incident with Gurpegi but then changed his story to say he had dismissed him for pushing Iturraspe – a fracas the Bilbao player started.

Ronaldo has been banned for three matches and will miss his team’s forthcoming fixtures against Villarreal, Getafe and Elche – a major blow in Real’s bid to beat rivals Atletico Madrid and Barcelona to the title.

The Portuguese, who turned 29 on Wednesday, was banned for one match for violent conduct and a further two matches for dissent as he walked from the field. He was also fined just under £1,000.

However, the news that Ayza Gamez has been suspended will encourage Real in their appeal against Ronaldo’s ban.

The Spanish Football Federation’s Appeals Committee convenes on Friday to consider their argument.

Ronaldo, the Ballon d’Or winner who has scored 32 goals in 31 matches this season, is still eligible to play in the Copa del Rey and featured during the midweek 3-0 win over Atletico at the Bernabeu.

He will also be able to play in next week’s second leg at the Vicente Calderon.

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