Share

Ramos given 2-game European ban for deliberate booking

Paris - Real Madrid centre-back Sergio Ramos has been handed a two-game suspension by UEFA for deliberately getting himself booked during his team's Champions League last 16, first leg against Ajax.

The Spaniard was booked for a tackle on Kasper Dolberg in Real's 2-1 victory in Amsterdam on February 13, two minutes after Marco Asensio scored the winning goal.

Three yellow cards over the course of the competition bring a one-match suspension and UEFA said Ramos had been punished "for clearly receiving a yellow card on purpose", with the aim of being clear for a potential quarter-final tie.

European football's governing body set a precedent last season when Real full-back Dani Carvajal was suspended for two games after initially earning a booking in the group stage.

The 32-year-old Ramos said the day after the match that he did not "force the card".

But straight after the game, he had appeared to admit that he got himself booked on purpose.

"The truth is that given the result I'd be lying if I said it wasn't something I had in mind," Ramos had said.

"It is not to underestimate the opponent but sometimes there is a time to make decisions and I did so."

Real resume their bid for a fourth consecutive Champions League title in the return leg against Ajax on March 5.

Meanwhile, UEFA's Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body also announced fines for both Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain following incidents during their last 16, first leg at Old Trafford on February 12.

The Premier League club were fined €16 000 after their supporters blocked stairways and threw objects.

PSG, who won the game 2-0, were given a more hefty fine of €41 000 for crowd disturbances, throwing of objects, setting off fireworks, and "acts of damage". They were also ordered to pay United for repairs to damaged seats.

In addition, PSG were fined a further €25 000 after being found responsible for the late kick-off in their 4-1 victory at Red Star Belgrade in the group stage, while coach Thomas Tuchel was given a suspended one-game ban.

Red Star were fined €64 000 for incidents in the same game involving their supporters, including "illicit chanting".

However, charges against Chelsea for alleged anti-Semitic chanting during their Europa League game against Vidi in Hungary in December were dropped.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1814 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1774 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1082 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 459 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 186 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 252 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE