Real accepts Ronaldo´s ´unfair´ sending off

January 26, 2010

Real Madrid blasted the “unfair” red card handed out to Cristiano Ronaldo at the weekend, but said it will accept the referee’s decision.

“Seeing the move, he clearly did not want to hurt the opponent,” Emilio Butragueno, the club’s vice president and former player was quoted as saying Tuesday in sports newspaper Marca.

“I was a striker and when you are challenged you want to free yourself.”

The world’s most expensive player spoiled a stellar two-goal display on Sunday by getting red-carded after a stray elbow caught defender Patrick Mtiliga, who tugged the Portuguese winger’s shirt during the 2-0 win over Malaga.

The Primera Liga’s disciplinary committee is expected to announce later Tuesday whether he will be suspended for one or two matches.

Real’s sporting director, Jorge Valdano, described the decision as “unfair and “very hard” as Ronaldo was merely “trying to continue” the move.

“We regret very much the injury to the Malaga player, we accept any decision, but we defend the conviction that we are right,” he told Spanish radio COPE Tuesday.

It was a second dismissal of the season for Ronaldo who was sent off in a 4-2 win over Almeria on December 5 for kicking out at an opponent.

The former Manchester United star said Monday he also felt his red card was unjust.

“I’ve spoken to Mtiliga and he said he doesn’t believe I should apologise because he doesn’t think I hurt him intentionally,” he was quoted as saying on the club’s website.

“I never try to trick referees. I never intended to injure the player. I believe they should be fair with what really happened.”

MADRID (AFP)

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