Cristiano Ronaldo banned for 3 games for mocking match officials after being red-carded

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has been banned for three Spanish league games for receiving a red card and then making a mocking gesture toward the match officials in a game at Athletic Bilbao.

The Portugal forward was shown a straight red for swiping his hand across the face of Bilbao's Carlos Gurpegi's following a shove from his opponent in Sunday's 1-1 league draw.

The league's disciplinary committee handed Ronaldo a one-game ban for the red card and two more games for his mocking gesture as he left the field.

Ronaldo will miss league games against Villarreal, Getafe, and Elche.

Ronaldo, however, is available to play in the Copa del Rey semifinal against Atletico Madrid, with the first leg being played on Wednesday.