Ronaldo Calls Five-Match Suspension For Shoving Ref "Persecution"

After Real Madrid’s appeal of Cristiano Ronaldo’s five-match suspension for shoving a referee was denied today, the Portuguese star whined about the decision on social media, writing, “It’s impossible to stay quiet in this situation, five matches! To me it seems exaggerated and ridiculous, this is what you call persecution! Thanks to my team-mates and to the fans for the support.”

Ronaldo picked up two yellow cards in the fist leg of the Spanish Super Cup against Barcelona. The first was for tearing his shirt off in his classic goal celebration; the second was, controversially, for diving. Then came the push that merited the suspension.

Ronaldo will miss tonight’s second-leg match against Barcelona, as well as four La Liga games.