Punishment upheld: Ronaldo’s ban appeal rejected

Madrid: Cristiano Ronaldo reiterated his anger at what he described as the “incomprehensible decision” to reject his final appeal against a five-match ban on Tuesday.

Spain’s administrative sports court (TAD) dismissed Real Madrid’s latest appeal for the suspension handed out to the World Player of the Year for pushing a referee after being sent-off in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup against Barcelona. “Another incomprehensible decision,” Ronaldo posted to his over 57 million Twitter followers.

“Injustices will not knock me down. I will come back stronger. Thanks to those who have supported me.” Ronaldo was controversially shown a second yellow card for diving after coming off the bench to score as Real won the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup 3-1 away to Barcelona.

The Portugal captain was handed a one-match ban for the 10th red card of his career and a further four-game suspension for pushing referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea in protest. He blasted his treatment by the Spanish Football Federation as “persecution” on his Instagram account after his first appeal was rejected last week.