Ronaldo Sent Off Against Portsmouth

It seems like deja vu all over again as referee Steve Bennett showed Cristiano Ronaldo the red card for the second time in Wednesdays match against Portsmouth at Fratton Park. Bennett had sent Ronaldo off in a previous game against Manchester City in January last year. This time the offense was an apparent head butt. The replays are inconclusive but there does seem to be some pushing and shoving between Ronaldo and Portsmouth’s Richard Hughes as they are waiting for a corner. Ronaldo then squares up to Hughes and moves his head towards the player who then goes down like a sack of spuds! This all took place right in front of the referee, even with my red tinted specs on you can’t stick the head on an opponent and expect to stay on the pitch, so Bennett had little choice but to send the Manchester United winger off.

Having said that, I agree with Sir Alex Ferguson that Ronaldo was the victim of provocation, the lad gets lumps kicked out of him week in and week out - the stats show that he is the most fouled player in the Premier League. On this occasion he has risen to the bait and paid the ultimate punishment. Fergie was quoted as saying:

“Steve Bennett sent him off at City and he will have loved this opportunity to send him off, I have tried to look at the replay and there is nothing conclusive either way,” he said. “My take on it was he was provoked and has fallen for it. Cristiano was responsible for falling for the intimidation and he only has himself to blame.”

Bennett will no doubt be making himself a few bob on the after dinner circuit when he finishes with his stories about how he sent Ronaldo off not once but twice! Cristiano Ronaldo is now banned for 3 games and will miss Sunday’s derby against Manchester City - I’ll bet the Blue Noses are pleased about that one!

To see the full match report and video of Paul Scholes great goal CLICK HERE