Real defender Sergio Ramos hit with 5-match ban
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MADRID (REUTERS) - Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos was handed a five-match ban by the Spanish football federation (RFEF) on Thursday, after being sent off and insulting the referee in their King's Cup victory over Celta Vigo.
Spain defender Ramos, who was selected in Fifa's team of the year on Monday, picked up a second yellow card when he brought down Augusto Fernandez in the 73rd minute in Wednesday's 4-0 last-16 second leg victory at the Bernabeu.
The 26-year-old directed insults at the referee and his assistant when leaving the pitch, according to the referee's report, and was punished with one game for the red card and four for his comments to the match officials.
"Independently of whether I think it is fair or not, I want to apologise to the coaching staff, my colleagues and the fans," Ramos said on his official Twitter account.
