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Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos denies that he intentionally wanted to receive a red card in the Champions League match against Ajax in Amsterdam.
The Spanish vice-champions secured an easy 4-0 victory and secured the top spot in the group, but as the match was coming to an end, not only Ramos but also his teammate Xabi Alonso were sent off the field.
Both players received a second yellow card for delaying the return of the ball into play. This means they will be suspended for the final group stage match against Auxerre, but their card count will be reset for the knockout stage.
Although it seemed like both Ramos and Alonso were deliberately trying to be punished for their strange actions, the defender denies it: "I certainly didn't want that. Seeing the result, the referee could have chosen not to give a card. But it is what it is."
The situation was also commented on by "Real" coach Jose Mourinho: "Such stories attract attention. We won and played fantastic match. Let's talk about that, not other matters."
However, journalists persisted: "The referee showed red cards in easy matches. And warnings seemed strange to me. It wasn't difficult to control the match."
Alonso and Ramos' ejection from the field:
