Real charged over red-card controversy

UEFA have charged Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho and four of his players with improper conduct over the club’s red-card controversy.

The charges relate to Real’s 4-0 Champions League win over Ajax on Tuesday, when both Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso were sent off after receiving their second yellow cards.

Their dismissals mean both players will serve a one-match suspension in Real’s final group game – a meaningless fixture for the Spanish giants, who have already secured top spot in the group and a place in the knockout stages.

Alonso and Ramos would therefore begin the knockout stages with no accumulated yellow cards, prompting some to suggest they intentionally sought a second caution.

The pair has been charged, along with Mourinho, goalkeeper Iker Casillas and substitute Jerzy Dudek over the incidents.

It was alleged Dudek walked behind the goal to pass on Mourinho’s instructions to Casillas, who relayed messages to the duo ordering them to pick up second yellow cards.

The incident will now be referred to the UEFA control and disciplinary body on Tuesday.

UEFA is also examining former CFR Cluj coach Sorin Cartu, who was sacked after vandalising the technical area during his team’s 1-0 Champions League loss to FC Basel on Wednesday.

Club President Iuliu Muresan apologised for Cartu’s actions and said on Thursday they had decided to sack the 55-year-old from the post he had only occupied since September.

“We would like to give our most sincere apologies, first of all to UEFA, the host of the Champions League competition, to the Swiss club FC Basel, to our fans and to all football and sports fans,” Muresan said.