Real Madrid will appeal the five match ban handed to Cristiano Ronaldo for his actions in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup (which Real Madrid won 3-1). Ronaldo picked up a one match ban for a double yellow card (taking his shirt off, followed by an alleged dive), and a four match ban for pushing the referee. The player has already served one game of the ban, the second leg of the Super Cup (which Real Madrid won 2-0 to take the trophy 5-1 on aggregate).

Real Madrid to take Ronaldo case to the next level

Madrid have decided to take the case to the Spanish Disciplinary Committee for Sports, the last resort in Spain before an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

According to an article published by Ramón Fuentes in iusport, Real Madrid have a two fold strategy to try and reduce the ban.

Real Madrid: Ronaldo's second yellow was a mistake

Firstly, by arguing the second yellow card was a mistake, as Ronaldo did not, in their opinion, dive, but rather fell as a result of the clash with the Barcelona defender. If this argument were to be successful this would reduce the suspension by one game, and Real Madrid's case is that this one game ban (for the double yellow card) is the final ban to be served of the two that were applied in respect of the match, meaning the striker would only miss three more games.

Real Madrid: Ronaldo merely disrepected the referee

The other strategy of Real Madrid is to reduce the four game that was applied for pushing the referee, without aggressive intent. The club's aim is to convince the Committee that his behaviour was merely disrepectful, which carries a two or three game ban.

If Real Madrid were to be successful with both strategies, and having already missed the second leg of the Super Cup, he could miss just one more match, the Liga opener against Deportivo, if his ban was reduced to the minimum two match ban for disrepecting the referee.