Real Madrid: Sergio Ramos could miss the first-leg of the Champions League semifinal
Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos could be suspended for Real Madrid’s next match in the Champions League. Here’s what happened and why the Captain may be out again.
Juventus put on quite the show as they traveled to Madrid for their return leg fixture against Real. Despite a huge three-goal deficit, Juventus charged back to have the game level at 3-3 on aggregate. It took a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo in added time for Madrid to progress in the competition.
While Real Madrid’s players and fans rejoice the victory as their side makes their eighth consecutive UCL semifinal, it comes with a big asterisk.
Captain Sergio Ramos could be ruled out of Real Madrid’s next Champions League fixture on a technicality. Ramos was already suspended for the second-leg against Juventus in the quarterfinals due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
He could be seen in the tunnel near the benches late on in the match. He urged his team to fight through and get the win and showed his undying love and commitment to his side but the rules are the rules.
Sergio Ramos could be sanctioned with another game for going to the tunnel during the match as the referee included the incident in his report.
— Real Madrid Info ³⁵ (@RMadridInfo) April 11, 2018
His suspension stipulated that Ramos was allowed to attend the match but was restricted to certain areas of the stadium. Sergio was not allowed in the technical zones of the Bernabéu but could access all other zones. The Spaniard was seen sitting in a glass encasing generally reserved for VIP and families of the players.
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri was seen berating the captain as well. In accordance with UEFA’s rules, the tunnel is considered a technical zone. Ramos will only be suspended if a note is made in the referees game report or mentioned by a UEFA delegate.
A similar event happened to former Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso during the 2014 Champions League Final. Alonso was suspended for the Final match against Atletico Madrid but made his way down to the pitch to celebrate Gareth Bale’s match-winning goal.
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Xabi was then suspended for the match against Sevilla in the Spanish Super Cup that same year. UEFA listed it as a “breach of general principles of conduct,”.
Real lost Wednesday’s match 3-1 but progressed on aggregate 4-3. They will face Bayern Munich in the semis beginning on April 25th in Munich.