Sergio Ramos received his first red card in Liga MX during Monterrey’s 3-1 victory over Pumas UNAM, casting a shadow over an otherwise successful night for his team. The Spanish veteran, known for his aggressive style and commanding presence on the pitch, is now at risk of facing a potentially lengthy suspension, an outcome that could affect Monterrey’s campaign.
The fiery encounter at the Estadio Olimpico Universitario last Sunday saw Martin Demichelis’ players climb the league table, but Ramos’ actions late in the match drew significant scrutiny. His reputation as a hard-nosed defender preceded him, and in just his fifth match for Monterrey, he found himself embroiled in yet another disciplinary controversy.
The game began with Rayados pressing high, looking to dominate early. Despite their intent, Pumas took the lead in the 33rd minute through Guillermo Martinez, who found the bottom corner with a precise strike. Monterrey responded strongly in the second half, equalizing before taking control of the match. The former Real Madrid captain, however, was involved in a series of contentious moments well before his eventual dismissal.
Story of skill and controversy
In the 20th minute, he appeared to elbow Guillermo Martinez, an incident that went unnoticed by the referee. The lack of immediate action fueled debate, as many felt he should have been booked or even sent off at that moment.
It wasn’t until stoppage time that Ramos finally saw red. With Monterrey leading 3-1, he kicked Martinez in an unnecessary off-the-ball challenge, prompting the referee to send him off. His expulsion immediately sparked controversy, with the Gold-and-Blues‘ coach Efrain Juarez criticizing the officiating.
“Whatever his name is, it has to be an example,” Juarez said. “If someone from our country had done that, they’d be out in the 20th minute, not the 90th. That bothers me. We must protect our football. He elbowed a kid who just the day before said he was his idol.”
The Consequences: Could Ramos face a lengthy ban?
The fallout from Ramos’ red card has extended beyond the pitch. Pumas formally requested an investigation into the refereeing, arguing that Ramos should have been sent off earlier in the match. In response, the Referee Commission announced it would conduct a full review of the game’s key moments.
“We are an institution that will never stop raising our voice in the face of a refereeing performance like today’s,” Pumas stated. “We demand from the general director of the Referee Commission a detailed analysis of this match and for him to take action to ensure real growth in refereeing in Mexico.”
The biggest concern for Monterrey now is the potential length of Ramos’ suspension. According to beIN SPORTS, the club fears that he could be banned for up to 15 matches, as Liga MX’s Rule 12 states that violent conduct can result in severe punishment.
While such a harsh penalty seems unlikely, Ramos could miss multiple matches, which would keep him out of key fixtures—including the highly anticipated Clasico Regio against Tigres on April 13.
