Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 5y

Real Madrid's Gareth Bale could face ban for Atletico celebration

Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale could receive a La Liga ban after being reported by the authorities for "a gesture of possible obscene and derogatory meaning" during his goal celebration in last weekend's 3-1 win at Atletico Madrid.

After entering as a substitute, Bale scored Madrid's third goal of the game at the Wanda Metropolitano and, during his celebration, the Wales international gestured in the direction of fans close to the sideline who had been barracking him.

The incident was not mentioned in the referee's report after the game -- however La Liga have referred the incident to the competition committee of the Spanish federation [RFEF].

"In the 73rd minute of the game, after scoring his team's third goal, Real Madrid player Gareth Bale, who had been booed by the local fans, celebrated by raising his right hand close to his head, in a provocative gesture to the supporters, then in a gesture of possible obscene and derogatory meaning doubled his arm while cutting across the middle of it with his other hand," the La Liga statement read.

The statement went on to explain that since Feb. 7 last year, La Liga has taken the responsibility of reporting any goal celebrations which may provoke a reaction from the crowd -- and that Bale's celebration may have broken a number of different articles within the federation's disciplinary code.

According to La Liga, if the response to the gesture produces "animosity" among the fans, the player should receive a ban of between four and 12 games. If not, then a one-to-three game ban should be imposed.

They also point out that it is for the RFEF committee to decide if the gesture was provocative in nature.

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