Ronaldo loses red card appeal

Cristiano Ronaldo will serve out his three -match ban for the red card received last Sunday in the game against Athletic Bilbao as his appeal against the decision was turned down on Friday.

Ronaldo was sent off in Sunday's draw with Bilbao for reacting to a shove by Carlos Gurpegi and getting into a confrontation with Ander Iturraspe in the 75th minute as Bilbao forced Madrid to a 1-1 draw.
The Ballon d'or winner was banned for one game for the red card, with a further two matches added for a gesture he made when leaving the pitch.
The development means the Madrid forward is out of Saturday's La Liga match against Ikechukwu Uche's Villarreal.
Ronaldo will also miss next week's trip to Getafe and the home game against Elche on 22 February.
While Ronaldo will be serving out his punishment on one hand, the referee who sent him off of Miguel Ángel Ayza Gámez,has also being suspended for a month and banned from officiating in Real Madrid matches until the end of the season.