Real Madrid begin life without suspended talisman Cristiano Ronaldo in Saturday's La Liga clash with Villarreal after the Portuguese forward had his appeal against a three-match ban rejected.
The 29-year-old, who tops the league scoring charts with 22 goals, was sent off during Sunday's draw with Athletic Bilbao following a fracas with Carlos Gurpegui and Ander Iturraspe.
Ronaldo was banned for one game for the red card, with a further two matches added for a gesture he made when leaving the pitch.
Scroll down to read Graham Poll's verdict on the suspension
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Rejected: Cristiano Ronaldo's appeal against his three-match suspension has been denied
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Dismissed: Ronaldo was sent off in the 75th minute of the 1-1 draw at San Mames, a damaging result in the context of their La Liga title challenge
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Suspended: Ronaldo's ban stands despite the referee Ayza Gamez being taken off any Real games this season
VIDEO: Watch Ronaldo show off the silky skills Real will miss for the next three games
The club hoped the ban would be lifted, especially in light of reports in Spanish media that referee Miguel Angel Ayza Gamez had been suspended for a month for his performance and won't officiate in any further Real matches this season.
Real coach Carlo Ancelotti would not comment on the referee in a news conference on Friday that was held before news of the appeal rejection was announced.
'The question of the referee being suspended has nothing to do with me,' he said.
AYZA GAMEZ ALREADY HAD A BAD REPUTATION
Valencia born referee Ayza Gamez has a reputation in Spain for being consistently poor.
For the last three seasons he has finished far enough down the refereeing authority's end of season's rankings that he has been a major candidate to be relegated to the second tier.
He doesn't have the arrogance of several of his even more unpopular colleagues and is liable to be pressured into making mistakes by players rather than erring because of an exaggerated desire to be the focus of every game - but he is seen as incompetent all the same.
He fell over in the Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid game last weekend and that fits his reputation for not being in control.
He is also criticized for lacking the character needed to officiate in the top flight.
Madrid have complained previously over his failure to send Dani Alves for dissent in a match where he had booked the full-back but then allowed him to call him 'loco' (crazy) to his face.
PETE JENSON
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Squaring up: Ronaldo argues with Bilbao midfielder Ander Iturraspe, sparking a melee involving a number of players from both sides
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Trouble: Ronaldo puts his head into the face of Iturraspe having swiped his hand across the face of Bilbao captain Carlos Gurpegi (left)
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Scrap: Ronaldo postures as the players square up to each other
Ronaldo will also miss next week's trip to Getafe and the home game against Elche on February 22.
Sunday's draw meant Real failed to take advantage of Barcelona's second defeat of the season, leaving them third on goal difference behind the Catalan side and three points behind leaders Atletico Madrid.
Ancelotti expected Wales winger Gareth Bale to be fit for the match with fifth-placed Villarreal.
He has not played since hurting his calf a fortnight ago, the latest in a string of injuries that have forced him to miss more than half the matches since joining from Tottenham Hotspur in the close season.
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The innocent one: Ronaldo stands back as the arguments carry on
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Long walk off: Ronaldo leaves the pitch after being shown a straight red card
Bale was a late withdrawal from the King's Cup first leg win over Atletico in midweek.
'He will play on Saturday,' Ancelotti said. 'When I said that Bale wouldn't play on Wednesday for fear that he could suffer a reaction ... I was telling the truth.'
Real were convincing in their victory over city rivals Atletico but Ancelotti is concerned that effort might affect them against Villarreal.
'We worked hard on Wednesday. It was a game played at a high intensity and we will have to show the same workrate and concentration again,' said the Italian.
'It will be difficult to do this but I have confidence in my players that they will be ready.'
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Back in action: Ancelotti says Gareth Bale will play on Saturday after missing Real's Atletico win on Wednesday
GRAHAM POLL'S VERDICT
Wow! What a remarkable decision by the Spanish Refereeing Technical Committee.
I wouldn’t like to be the next referee who officiates in a Real Madrid game.
This is all about Madrid. The fact Miguel Angel Ayza Gamez has been given a one month suspension and told he cannot referee any more Madrid games indicates the power and influence they have.
It may have been a harsh red, but we have seen those before.
The chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee is Spanish too, so he will be taking an interest in this.
It also comes out the day Cristiano Ronaldo has his appeal hearing, which suggest he will be treated with leniency.
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