UEFA have opened a disciplinary case over Cristiano Ronaldo’s red card in the Champions League which will be assessed on September 27, European football’s governing body said yesterday. Ronaldo was sent off in the 29th minute of Wednesday’s 2-0 win away to Valencia after a tussle with defender Jeison Murillo, with the former Real Madrid star leaving the pitch in tears. The Portugal captain fell to the ground in disbelief and then yelled into the air in frustration, although Juventus overcame his dismissal thanks to a pair of Miralem Pjanic penalties.
It was the 11th red card of Ronaldo’s career, but first in the Champions League, and will see him miss Juve’s next group game against Swiss side Young Boys in Turin. He will find out next week whether his one-match ban is extended.
An increase would also rule him out of a return to Old Trafford to face former club Manchester United. Ronaldo’s arrival at Juventus has raised expectations of a first Champions League title since 1996, with share prices peaking at a record 1.8046 euros on the stock market yesterday before closing at 1.581 euros.
It represented an increase of more than 180% since late June when rumours began circulating of Ronaldo’s arrival at the club, with shares then trading at 0.64 euros.
While Ronaldo should escape an increase on his one-match ban in the Champions League but Juventus’ star summer signing might not get off so easily in the race for the Ballon d’Or. Ronaldo is among the frontrunners for the prestigious prize, which considers performances during the calendar year, as well as “overall behaviour on and off the pitch.”
The 33-year-old was perhaps unfortunate that German referee Felix Brych opted for a red, rather than a yellow, card but there was still risk in engaging with Murillo. Journalists in charge of voting for the Ballon d’Or might also take note of Ronaldo’s reaction, which saw him fall to the ground in disbelief and then yell into the air in frustration.
It was a bad night in an otherwise stellar 2018 for the Portugese, who won the Champions League with Real Madrid in May and has scored 36 goals in 33 games this year. He has won the Ballon d’Or five times, the joint most with Lionel Messi.
This was Ronaldo’s 11th red card, but first in the Champions League, with a suspension now set to reduce his scoring power in the group stages. UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body can also increase the ban if they deem it a “serious offence”.
The Italian side’s coach Massimiliano Allegri lamented the lack of a Video Assistant Referee against Valencia, which he believes would have spared his key player. UEFA’s Executive Committee are due to meet in Lyon on September 27, where it is believed the issue of implementing VAR will be discussed.
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