Champions League: Did Cristiano Ronaldo deserve the red card?
Juventus forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, broke down on pitch after he was shown a straight red card in his side's Champions League group stage encounter against Valencia. It was CR7's first trip to Spain after he left Real Madrid in the summer for the Italian giants. And it ended on a rather sour note for the 5-time Champions League winner. Did he deserve it?
WATCH: Ronaldo gets a straight red
How did it get to a red card?
Ronaldo and Valencia defender, Jeison Murillo tangled off the ball in the 29th minute. Post that the former Real Madrid star appeared to have grabbed his hair and asked him to get up. Jeison retaliated back and players had to intervene. The referee consulted the linesman behind the goal and decided to show CR7 a straight red.
It was not a fair decision
CR7's actions didn't warrant a red card and the opposition player looked like to make the most out of the situation. He went down rather too easily and his retaliation post Ronaldo touching his hair provoked the official. Ronaldo's gesture can be seen as telling the player to get up from the ground. It isn't even a yellow card offence, forget red.
Will Ronaldo miss the trip to Old Trafford?
Juventus are definitely going to appeal against Ronaldo's three-match ban and it remains to be seen if the decision is overturned. As of now, he is set to miss the trip to Old Trafford and face Manchester United. If the decision is overturned, then there will be only one-match ban. Juventus sealed all three points after Miralem Pjanic converted two spot-kicks.
First Champions League red card for Ronaldo
Interestingly, this was Cristiano Ronaldo's first ever red card in the Champions League. He finally received one in his 154th appearance in the European competition.
Champions League refereeing touching a new low
Decision making has been on the down in the Champions League since many years now. Daniel Parejo's high boot raise that struck Joao Cancelo's face saw the official give him just a yellow card and awarded Juventus a penalty. This shows that the officials aren't consistent with the decisions. Over the years, many players have been wronged with referee's howlers. Should VAR be introduced?
