UEFA has confirmed that it will launch an investigation against Spanish international, Sergio Ramos over the comments he made following his booking. UEFA has confirmed that a disciplinary committee is being set up following the connection with the statements made by Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos. Madrid were leading 2-1 when he was shown a yellow card following a foul on Ajax striker Kasper Dolberg.
Ramos initially appeared that he deliberately earned the booking so he could serve the ban before the quarter-finals; a clever move, should three-time defending champions Madrid progress. A player who purposely obtains a booking can be banned for two games. It is assessed that Ramos deliberately missed the second leg at Santiago Bernabeu to feature in the quarters on a fresh record.
The Spain international was making his 600th appearance for Los Blancos which was sealed off with a 2-1 win. Goals from Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio saw Madrid playing the return leg at Santiago Bernabeu with a crucial away goal advantage.
When asked about the incident post match, the former Manchester United target replied, “Looking at the result, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t force the booking. It is neither to underestimate the opponent nor to think that the series is over, but in football you have to make tough decisions.” Pundit Martin Keown said it was “very obvious” Ramos was looking to pick up a third booking in the competition to be banned for the second leg. It is obvious that a suspension at this stage reduces the risk of missing important matches later in the tournament. Ramos later turned his statement and apologized that he is deeply sorry to miss the second tie and will follow the match from the stands as a die-hard supporter.
Ramos team mate, Dani Carvajal was the victim of a similar situation when in December 2017, Carvajal wasted time in a throw in Real Madrid’s 6-0 win over Apoel Nicosta. A second yellow card meant, Carvajal would miss a group game against Borussia Dortmund; with Madrid having already qualified for the next round. Dani Carvajal received a two-game ban from UEFA after he was adjudged to have deliberately earned a booking. If Ramos is given a similar punishment to Carvajal, he would miss the first leg of the quarter-final if Madrid hold on to their lead against Ajax.
UEFA, in a statement released earlier today declared that A disciplinary investigation has been initiated based on Article 31(3) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations on Real Madrid captain, Sergio Ramos on whether he deliberately took a card or not. “Information in respect of this investigation will be made available in due course.” UEFA concluded.
Real Madrid already has a vast set of problems and they will want to stay away from controversy now. They have lost Bale to matters of controversy and things are not going right for them, as they would have liked under Solari as well. They will need a complete U-turn of things, if they want to get them done right and only time will tell whether things materialize for them or not.
