Cristiano Ronaldo will be forced to sit and watch Real Madrid’s Spanish Super Cup second leg against Barcelona this evening after his five-match ban was upheld.
Ronaldo was hit with the suspension after receiving a red card and then pushing the referee in Sunday’s 3-1 victory.
The Portuguese’s absence will be a major loss to Zinedine Zidane’s side but the Real boss will be hopeful that his replacement, presumably wonderkid Marco Asensio, can step in and make sure Ronaldo isn’t missed too much.
As well as tonight’s Clasico at the Bernabeu, Ronaldo will miss Real’s league matches against Deportivo La Coruna, Valencia, Levante and Real Sociedad.
The 32-year-old was shown a yellow card against Barcelona for taking his shirt off in celebration and then for diving in the penalty area.
But Ronaldo’s teammate Sergio Ramos believes the four-time Ballon d’Or winner fell accidentally.
"He was a long way from me. I think it was a moment of play that unbalanced him and he didn't feign anything," Ramos told AS, per Goal.
"We're at high levels of tension in this type of game. For me, it wasn't a penalty.
“I don't think the referee blows for something if he doesn't see anything, he would have seen it clearly. For me, there was nothing."
Ronaldo has reacted on Instagram
Real appealed Ronaldo’s decision but the ban was upheld on Wednesday. And the forward is fuming.
He’s taken to Instagram to express his disapproval at having to sit out for five matches.
He wrote: “Impossible to stay immune in this situation, 5 games! It seems to me exaggerated and ridiculous, this is persecution! Thanks to my colleagues for the support and the fans!!!”
Zidane: 'We are all annoyed and upset'
Real coach Zinedine has also come out in support of his star man.
“I am annoyed. We are all annoyed and upset," the French coach told reporters, per Sky Sports. "I'm not going to get involved with the referees but, after what happened, to think that he'll not play for five games, makes you think that something isn't right. It's too long for him.
"I hope that when the (committee) meet, they look at it thoroughly.
“Everyone can have their opinion but Cristiano Ronaldo is upset because he wants to play and when he doesn't play he's not happy.
"I hope they've not got something against Cristiano Ronaldo and people do their job with integrity. We're upset that we are not going to have him with us for a long time. We'll wait to see what happens."