Madrid Decline Ruud’s Appeal Request

Real Madrid have turned down Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s request to have the club lodge a formal appeal to overturn the red card he picked up in last week’s 1-2 win at Atlético Madrid.

The Dutch goal machine was sent off at the Vicente Calderón just before half time in Los Blancos’ 1-2 triumph in El Derbi Madrileño last weekend.

Immediately after the game, however, Van Nistelrooy assessed that his cynical foul on Maniche only warranted a yellow card and he immediately requested that the club launch an appeal to the Competition Committee to have the matter looked into.

But the club’s litigation team has since decided not to proceed with the appeal after studying the case thoroughly.  They announced yesterday that they were not confident that his red card would be downgraded and as such, have asked for the 32 year old to serve out the one-game ban rather than run the risk of an extended suspension should the appeal be unsuccessful.

With Van Nistelrooy’s absence for Sunday’s game against Athletic Bilbao all but confirmed, coach Bernd Schuster will now have a problem in attack.

Argentine forward Gonzalo Higuaín picked up an ankle injury in midweek against Juventus and his availability will remain a doubt until the eleventh hour. In addition, Arjen Robben has only just recovered from a muscular ailment and although he played for almost the entirety of the second half against Juve, there is still a question mark over his condition and fitness.

If neither are able to make the starting eleven come Sunday, Schuster will have to completely modify his formation and strategy and call on Raúl to lead the attack as a lone striker and Rafa Van der Vaart as the supporting act just behind him.