Sergio Ramos Receives Just a One Match Ban After El Clásico Red Card
By Ben Sundock
The turning point of El Clásico on Sunday was Sergio Ramos’ red card in the 77th minute, sliding into Lionel Messi. The Real Madrid center back was shown the straight red after playing a disappointing match, making no legitimate impact before being sent off. Ben Sundock tells you more on the RFEF committee ruling on the Ramos incident.
Real Madrid captain and crucial defender, Sergio Ramos, will miss just one game after a rash challenge on Lionel Messi in the second half of Real’s devastating defeat at the hands of their bitter rival’s, FC Barcelona.
The tackle from Ramos was poor, and sent the smaller Messi flying in the air, making the challenge seem much more aggressive than it actually was. While Messi was not injured on the play, the tackle could have cuased serious injury.
The Royal Spanish Soccer Federation (RFEF) was reviewing the footage from Ramos’ exit off the field after receiving the red. First, Ramos looked to have made slight contact with the referee who was quick to jump back and point off defender. And, it appears from pictures that indeed he did.
As Ramos was reaching the sideline, before making it to the bench area and tunnel, he seemed to sarcastically clap in the direction of the fourth official. However, this was not directed toward the official, it was directed at Barca center back and fellow Spaniard, Gerard Pique.
Pique, despite playing next to Ramos on the Spanish national team defensive line, is not a fan of Ramos, chirping remarks at him as he left the field. There are of course, the post game comments Pique made about Real Madrid president, Florentino Perez, and tweets questioning officiating in Real matches.
If you will recall, Neymar received a three match ban after picking up a red card in a loss to Malaga at the beginning of the month, and then proceeded to tauntingly clap in the face of the official as he was leaving the field.
Straight red card for potential leg-breaking challenge: 1 match.
— total Barça (@totalBarca) April 25, 2017
Second yellow + applause: 3 matches.
In what world does this make sense? pic.twitter.com/8NNBGBFMZH
The Barcelona fans are in a full uproar over the decision already, leading many to draw comparisons between the two incidents.
The reason Ramos receiving just a one match ban is important is because, with Pepe still out injured, and Varane just coming back from back-to-back injuries, Zinedine Zidane is going to need to do some lineup juggling.
Ramos will miss today’s match at Deportivo La Coruña, but with Varane back in the squad, Zidane will have a few options of who to slot in next to Nacho. I’m betting that Zidane is more cautious with his young player, and leaves him on the bench to come in if needed.
The race for the La Liga title is certainly on, and if Real Madrid are going to want to break out of their league title drought, they’re going to need Sergio Ramos to be on the field.