Ronaldo breaks Mtiliga’s nose in red-card incident

Malaga’s Patrick Mtiliga has a broken nose after Cristiano Ronaldo struck him in the face in the incident that led to the Portugal international’s red card on , Malaga president Fernando Sanz said.

By (Reuters)

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Published: Mon 25 Jan 2010, 8:36 AM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 4:07 AM

The world’s most expensive player scored twice in the first half to sink Malaga at the Bernabeu, moving Real to within five points of leaders Barcelona.

But he picked up a red card in the 70th minute after swinging his arm and catching Mtiliga in the face as he tried to spin away from the Danish defender’s clutches.

“I don’t suppose Ronaldo meant to do it but he swung his arm back once and the second time he did it he broke the player’s nose,” Sanz told Canal Plus television.

“It was a brutal impact and a clear sending-off offence.

“He still probably doesn’t know what he’s done, but what he should have done is left the field apologising to his opponent rather than throwing his arms in the air and protesting.”

Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini said he was unable to see the incident clearly but the club’s director general Jorge Valdano rushed to Ronaldo’s defence.

“The referee has to understand which players want to entertain and those who want to break up the spectacle,” he said.

“Cristiano wants to play (football). When a player grabs him from behind he tries to break away from them. Others throw themselves to the ground to simulate a foul.

“More than Roanldo’s need to adapt to the Spanish league the referees need to adapt to protect players who want to entertain. “I don’t want to judge referees decisions, simply to state that Ronaldo’s intentions are always noble.”

It was Ronaldo’s second red card for Real Madrid after being sent off in a league match against Almeria last month.


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