Real Madrid sent a statement in their 3-1 victory over Atletico on Saturday.

In what has been a pretty tough season for Los Blancos in the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane’s departures, they still sit just six points behind leaders Barcelona.

Santiago Solari’s side last tasted defeat in the league on January 6 and the Real coach has found something in Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr.

Neither player was on the scoresheet at the Wanda Metropolitano, though, with Casemiro, Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale grabbing the goals.

It was a huge relief for Bale to score considering his recent treatment at the hands of Real fans.

An online poll by newspaper AS found that 54 per cent didn’t want the Welshman in the starting line-up.

And Bale let it all out with his gesture towards Atletico’s fans after making it 3-1.

What the rulebook says about Bale's punishment

The 29-year-old made a provocative gesture, raising his bent arm and hitting it with his other hand.

Yet his actions could land him in trouble, with Bale being reported to Spanish football’s Competition Committee by La Liga.

A statement, per Sky Sports, said Bale "lifted his right arm near his head in a clear sign of provocation towards the fans, then giving a gesture which could be seen as obscene and disdainful by folding his arm and striking it with his other hand".

AS have done some digging in the rule book to predict Bale’s possible suspension.

They’ve uncovered four articles that the Competition Committee could use when studying the case and it’s possible that Bale could be banned for 12 matches.

Article 93. Public Provocation. This article states that a four to 12 game ban could be handed out for “provoking the animosity of the public”.

Article 100. Serious unsporting conduct. If Bale’s conduct is seen as unsporting and serious, he could be suspended for between four and 10 games.

Article 121. Provoking the public. "Provoking the animosity of the public without achieving its objective will see one sanctioned for between one and three games or for a time period up to a month."

Article 122. Unsporting conduct. This is the same as article 100 but where the behaviour is considered mild, not serious. The punishment is a possible €602 fine and a ban of up to four matches.