MADRID, Spain - Real Madrid's Spanish international defender Sergio Ramos has been handed a five-match ban for insulting a referee after being sent off, the Spanish football federation (RFEF) announced Thursday, January 10.

The world and European champion was sent-off in the 73rd minute for two yellow card offenses during his team's 4-0 victory over Celta Vigo in the last-16 of the Spanish Cup on Wednesday, January 9.

The federation suspended Ramos one match for the red card and 4 additional matches for insulting the referee.

The defender tried to make ammends by apologizing to the official following the tie but his words fell on deaf ears and he will now miss the Spanish Cup quarter-final matches against Valencia as well as 3 other games. - Rappler.com