Cristiano Ronaldo could be banned for many games

Cristiano Ronaldo could be banned for as many as TWELVE games after being sent off after punching an opponent, reports in Spain suggest.

The World Player of the Year kicked and hit out at Cordoba defender Edimar and was shown a straight red card during Saturday's La Liga clash.

And Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo speculate the Portuguese could be booted out of the league for as many as twelve games if found guilty of excessive aggression when a disciplinary panel meet on Wednesday.

In fact, rival Madrid-based newspaper Marca say that referee Alejandro Hernandez didn't deem the incident to be violent conduct in his post-match report.

In said report Hernandez failed to reference Ronaldo's punch which appeared to land on Edimar's face, suggesting that he hadn't seen it.

His account of the events read: "In the 83rd minute Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off for the following reason: kicking an opponent when the ball was out of reach."

Should Ronaldo be banned for just the one match, he would only miss next weekend's home match against Real Sociedad.

However, were he to be banned for three or more games, he wouldn't be available for selection for the February showdowns with Sevilla or Atletico Madrid and more.

Following the clash, which Madrid won through a late Gareth Bale penalty, Ronaldo apologised for his uncharacteristic actions on Twitter.

He wrote: "I apologise to every and especially Edimar for my thoughtless act in the game today."