Ronaldo brands five-match ban 'exaggerated and ridiculous'

The Real Madrid star has hit out at the sanction, which was issued after he laid his hands on a match official against Barcelona

Cristiano Ronaldo has hit out at his five-match ban, branding the sanction "exaggerated and ridiculous" and alleging that he is being persecuted.
The Real Madrid star was handed the suspension after being sent off and then shoving the referee in Real Madrid's 3-1 Supercopa de Espana first-leg victory over Barcelona on Sunday.

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) upheld the ban on Wednesday, meaning Ronaldo will sit out Wednesday's second leg of the Supercopa, followed by Liga matches away to Deportivo La Coruna, at home to Valencia and Levante and away to Real Sociedad.
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And Ronaldo has since taken to Instagram to voice his disapproval, writing: "Impossible to be unaffected by this situation, 5 games!!
"It seems exaggerated and ridiculous, this is called persecution!
"Thanks to my teammates for the support and the fans!!!"