Roberto Carlos handed two-match ban by UEFA
Real Madrid defender Roberto Carlos will miss the return leg of his side's Champions League knockout tie against Bayern Munich after he was handed a two-match ban by UEFA on Monday.
Real Madrid defender Roberto Carlos will miss the return leg of his side's Champions League knockout tie against Bayern Munich after he was handed a two-match ban by UEFA on Monday.
The Brazilian international was given the ban by UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Committee for "improper conduct" after retaliating for a foul by Bayern defender Martin Demichelis in the 59th minute of last week's 1-1 draw in Munich.
"The UEFA disciplinary body ruled that Roberto Carlos had committed an act of assault, which usually carries a three-match ban," read a statement on UEFA's website.
"However, it took into account the foul committed on the player, and subsequently imposed a two-match suspension."
Real Madrid director Emilio Butragueno said the club had been taken by surprise by UEFA's decision.
"We thought the incident was a reaction by Roberto Carlos to a heavy challenge by Demichelis and we did not think he would be banned," Butragueno told the Real Madrid website.
"In any case, we think a two-match ban is excessive. The club will be studying the decision over the next few days to see if we can appeal."
Television replays showed Roberto Carlos swiping at Demichelis's face after being fouled by the Bayern defender who received a booking for the offence.
Roberto Carlos went unpunished by referee Terje Hauge who said he had been unable to see the Brazilian's reaction to the foul because his view had been impeded by two players.
The Real Madrid defender went on to score his side's equaliser seven minutes from time when his long-range free kick squirmed under the body of goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, cancelling out a 75th minute goal from Bayern striker Roy Makaay.
UEFA said the Real player had until midnight on Thursday to lodge an appeal against the suspension.
If the ban is upheld Roberto Carlos will miss the return match against Bayern at the Bernabeu on March 10 and the first leg of the quarter-final if Real reach the next round.
It is not the first time the left-back has been in trouble with the football authorities.
Last year he was given a three-match ban by world soccer's governing body FIFA for pushing Israeli referee Alon Yefet during Brazil's 2-1 defeat to Portugal after being sent off for protesting about the award of a free kick.