Champions League: Why Ronaldo Was Sent Off – Mark Clattenburg

Former Premier League referee , Mark Clattenburg has explained why he thinks Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off on his Champions League debut for Juventus.

Ronaldo was shown a straight red card by referee , Felix Brych , during the first half of the encounter , following a coming- together with Jeison Murillo in an off - the - ball incident.

Clattenburg believes that the Portuguese captain was sent off because the assistant referee on the side of the pitch may have told the match referee , Brych that an elbow was used by the 33 - year - old .

He added that if he was to be the referee for the game , he would have given Valencia a free - kick and shown a yellow card to both Ronaldo and Murillo .

“ Cristiano Ronaldo was very unfortunate to be sent off on his Champions League debut for Juventus , Clattenburg told Daily Mail.

“ With the ball on the left wing , the forward tried to make a run into the penalty area and was blocked off by Jeison Murillo .

“ There was a small push from Ronaldo which resulted in the Valencia defender falling to the floor but that was not violent conduct.

“ It was spotted by the additional assistant, standing behind the goal , who may have thought Ronaldo threw an elbow but that was not the case.

“ Ronaldo was then clearly annoyed by Murillo ’ s play - acting and placed a hand on the defender’ s head .

“ The contact looked very slight and I cannot see how the additional assistant, standing some 20 yards away , could deem it violent conduct.

“ If I had been officiating this game, I would have given Valencia a free - kick and shown a yellow card to each player.

“ Ronaldo will serve a one- match ban but anything more would be harsh.”

Ronaldo will now miss Juventus ’ next game against Swiss side , Young Boys , after receiving his first ever Champions League red card on Wednesday .