By Daily Sports on February 15, 2019
UEFA on Thursday opened disciplinary proceedings against Sergio Ramos after the Real Madrid captain admitted to deliberately picking up a late booking in Wednesday's round-of-16 first leg against Ajax.
Moments after Marco Asensio had put Madrid 2-1 ahead in the 87th minute, Ramos clattered Ajax substitute Kasper Dolberg near the centre circle, and was shown a third yellow card in this year's competition.
He could face a two-match Champions League suspension. UEFA will hear the case on Feb. 28.That means he would miss the return leg at the Bernabeu on March 5, but has a clean slate for the rest of the competition should Madrid progress.
“With the result, I would be lying if I said I did not force [the yellow card], it was something I had in mind,” Ramos said. “It is not about underestimating the opponent or thinking the tie is already over.
“But, in football, there are difficult decisions to make and I decided to do it.”
UEFA regulations state that any player who “receives a yellow card on purpose” can face a two-game suspension – and Ramos has previous in the Champions League, against the same opponents.
In the 2010-11 campaign, he and teammate Xabi Alonso received one match bans when they picked up suspicious late cards during a group match at Ajax – with then manager Jose Mourinho handed the same punishment. Meanwhile, Dani Carvajal was banned by UEFA after a similar incident just last season.
An hour after the game, Ramos took to Twitter to clarify his earlier comments.
“In a game with a lot of tension, emotions and pulses racing, you must make decisions in seconds,” the tweet read. “The best thing about today is the result.
“The worst is not being able to play in the return game with my teammates and the tie still up for grabs. I want to leave it clear that I am hurting more than anybody, that I did not force the card, just like I did not in previous Champions League game against Roma. I will support the team from the stands like any other fan, looking forward to being in the quarterfinals.”
“I’m a big defender of VAR,” Ramos said in the mixed zone. “Bit by bit it is making football fairer.
“Other times it has not gone in our favour, but today it disallowed a very important goal against us.” (ESPN)
•Photo shows Sergio Ramos
Source Daily Sports
Posted February 15, 2019
You may also like...
Nigerians enjoying great early season form in Europe...
Rayon Sports coach confident of victory in Aba...
USA, Canada and Mexico to make joint bid...
Mourinho lands in court
Joshua Gets New Trainer For Usyk Rematch
Laporta Warns Rivals: Barca Are Back

President’s death forces aquatic federation calendar shake-up
Diamond League announces Amusan for Prefontaine Classic
Chelle receives Agu, Nwaiwu injury boost
Lagos schools gear up for TASG athletics showcase
D’Tigress open W’Cup qualifying campaign with Colombia clash
Onigbide's contributions helped shape Nigeria’s football, NSC mourns ex-Super Eagles coach
Joshua career-earnings per punch recorded at £172k
Onuachu breaks 14-year Trabzonspor goal record
Musa dedicates derby win to Pillars fan
Rivers United’s scoring run thrills Finidi
How Arsenal can win Premier League
NWFL player Ihotu regains freedom after N1.5m ransom
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,608 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,933 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,838 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,464 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,384 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,291 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,165 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,710 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,888 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,403 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,795 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,270 views)