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<p>Madrid (AFP) – The Spanish football federation on Friday banned Real Madrid star Gareth Bale for two matches for his red card against Las Palmas this week.</p>
<p>Bale was also fined 600 euros ($634) after he was ordered off for twice kicking out at Jonathan Viera and then pushing the Las Palmas midfielder to the ground during the 3-3 draw on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Bale said after he did not accept he deserved the red card — his first since joining Madrid in 2013. He has apologised to his teammates however.</p>
<p>Bale repeatedly swiped at Viera as the Las Palmas midfielder surged away from him. Viera reacted with a minor push after being awarded a foul. Bale then shoved Viera away with two hands to the chest in front of referee David Fernandez Borbalan who reported the Wales forward for violent conduct.</p><p></p>


Bale banned for two games over red card

Bale banned for two games over red card - World Soccer Talk

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<p>Madrid (AFP) – Gareth Bale will have to wait for his return to action after three months out as the Welshman wasn’t included in Zinedine Zidane’s squad for Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with Napoli on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Bale only returned to full training for the first time on Sunday since suffering ankle ligament damage in November.</p>
<p>Cristiano Ronaldo is included in Zidane’s 19-man squad for the first leg of the European champions’ last 16 tie after shrugging off a knock picked up in Saturday’s 3-1 win at Osasuna.</p>
<p>“He has had nearly three months out and we have to go slowly with Gareth,” said Zidane on Tuesday</p>
<p>“It is his first week training with the team. He has had two training sessions, physically he is good…we will see if he is in the squad at the weekend.</p>
<p>“He is recovered and back with the team which is the most important thing.”</p>
<p>Madrid midfielder and Bale’s former teammate at Tottenham Hotspur Luka Modric insisted his presence has been missed, despite Real’s sensational form hardly skipping a beat since he suffered the injury away to Sporting Lisbon on November 22.</p>
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<p>And Modric backed Bale’s mental strength to return ahead of schedule after initial fears the 27-year-old could be sidelined for up to four months.&nbsp;</p>
<p>“It is always difficult when you don’t play due to injuries,” said Modric.</p>
<p>“He has done well in his recovery. He is very strong and concentrated on playing again.</p>
<p>“We miss him and we hope he returns now. He is mentally strong so it hasn’t affected him.</p>
<p>“It is something that happens in football, but you have to face up to it and recover as best as possible as he has done.”</p><p></p>


Fit-again Bale left out for Napoli clash

Fit-again Bale left out for Napoli clash - World Soccer Talk

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