* Appeals committee confirms two-match ban, fine
* Real Madrid to take case to higher body
(adds Real Madrid reaction)
MADRID, Jan 28 - Real Madrid's appeal against
Cristiano Ronaldo's red card and two-match suspension has been
rejected, the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) said on Thursday.
After considering Real's arguments, the federation's appeals
committee ruled that the ban and a 600-euro fine ($842) for the
Portuguese forward should stand, the RFEF said on its website
(www.rfef.es).
Real said in a statement on their website
(www.realmadrid.com) they would take the case to Spain's
Sporting Disciplinary Committee (CEDD), a body overseen by the
government sports council (CSD).
That could mean the suspension is put on hold and Ronaldo
would then be available to coach Manuel Pellegrini for
Saturday's trip to fifth-placed Deportivo Coruna.
Ronaldo was shown a straight red card in Sunday's 2-0 win
over Malaga after catching defender Patrick Mtiliga with a
flailing arm and breaking his nose.
The RFEF's disciplinary committee decided Ronaldo's actions
were not wilful or reckless, which would have meant a longer
suspension, but that he had been guilty of dangerous play.
Ronaldo apologised to Mtiliga immediately after the game but
said the red card was "a disgrace" and insisted he never tried
to hurt another player.
It was his second dismissal of the season following his
sending-off against Almeria in December for kicking out at an
opponent after he had been booked for taking off his shirt in a
goal celebration.
(Reporting by Iain Rogers, editing by Ed Osmond; To query or
comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)