Ronaldo out of El Clasico as 5-match ban upheld
Cristiano Ronaldo's chances of featuring in Wednesday's El Clasico were slim to begin with.
But now there's no chance of the Portuguese star appearing in the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup against Barcelona on Wednesday after the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) appeals committee dismissed Real Madrid's bid to reverse the five-match ban.
The decision to ban Ronaldo was announced Monday, a day after the player pushed match official Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea for receiving a red card during Sunday's first-leg victory over the club's Catalan rivals at the Camp Nou.
In Ronaldo's defense, Real Madrid claimed his action was the result of an "uncontrollable reflex" which apparently wasn't enough to convince the RFEF to overturn its decision.
Appeals committee also say contact with Umtiti doesnt mean Ronaldo didnt dive, ref's decision to show yellow was logical
— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) August 16, 2017
It's understood Real Madrid may continue to appeal Ronaldo's suspension by taking the matter to the Spanish government's Tribunal Administrativo del Deporte in an effort to see the remaining four games reduced.
Real Madrid has historically exhausted all routes when appealing Ronaldo's five previous La Liga suspensions.
Related: Why Real Madrid won't skip a beat in Ronaldo's absence
The 32-year-old will get plenty of support from the Madrid faithful Wednesday, with news that supporters groups are planning a handkerchief protest at the Santiago Bernabeu in response to the suspension and perceived discriminatory officiating.
Upholding the suspension will force Ronaldo to miss La Liga matches against Deportivo, Valencia, Levante, and Real Sociedad, as well as Wednesday's El Clasico.
Los Blancos hold a 3-1 advantage over Barca heading into the second leg.