Ronaldo protests his innocence
Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo insists he did not mean to hurt
Patrick Mtiliga after being sent off for breaking the Malaga
defender's nose.
The world's most expensive player, who earlier in the match
had scored both of Madrid's goals in their 2-0 win, also felt the
dismissal was unjust.
Ronaldo was shown a straight red card in the 70th minute of
the Primera Division encounter at the Bernabeu after his swinging
elbow caught Mtiliga in the face as he tried to escape the
attentions of the Denmark international.
Mtiliga left the pitch trying to stem the bleeding from his
facial injury and was immediately replaced.
Ronaldo, who was also sent off against Almeria in December
after picking up two late bookings, said after the game: "It was
not my intention to injure Mtiliga. I'm very sad for what happened
but calm.
"Those who understand football know that my intention is
always to play the ball. I learned in England not to deceive the
referees. This is not a red card here or in anywhere in the world
and I'm not asking for protection. I've seen worse things in other
games.
"I didn't mean to injure the lad. It was bad luck to hit him
on the nose because he's only 1.70m and if he had been taller I
would have struck his chest."
The former Manchester United winger, as a minimum, will now
sit at next week's testing trip to fifth-placed Deportivo La
Coruna, where Madrid have not won in the league since the 1992/1993
season.
"I always want to play and these things make me angry. I've
spoken with Mtiliga and he told me that I didn't need to apologise
because he doesn't believe I hurt him intentionally," Ronaldo
added.
"I wouldn't want to injure anybody. I'm not that type of
person. I'm not a bad person. I only want to shine by playing
football. Now I'm going to be angry when I get home because I won't
be able to play through suspension."