by Jose Mourinho has a whole other level of thinking, so much so that he once asked his players to be sent off to give the team a long-term advantage.
With Real already in the next round with one game to spare, Mourinho thought two of his most important players could serve their one-game suspensions in the final group game against French side Auxerre and then enter the round of 16 with their record erased.
Throwback to when Mourinho told Alonso and Ramos to both get sent off so they could get into the Round of 16 without risking suspension. First Mourinho 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/ChzJ5wlxbE
– Foot Humor (@FootyHumour) July 14, 2020
The Portuguese manager was seen in conversation with Alonso just before the start of the second half and he was the first to go. Already on reservation, he deliberately took an absolute age to take a free kick and received his marching orders.
Then, to add to the conspiracy theory, Ramos decided to take one of Iker Casillas’ goal kicks and he too was guilty of wasting time – leading to a second and subsequent yellow dismissal.
Incredibly, Ramos shook hands with referee Craig Thomson to almost thank him for the red card.
You didn’t have to be Colombo to understand what Mourinho and Real were up to and UEFA duly punished everyone involved.
Mourinho received a sideline ban, the red cards were upheld and several fines were issued.
“Players Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos have been fined €20,000, Iker Casillas has been fined €10,000 and Jerzy Dudek has been fined €5,000,” the report said. UEFA in a statement.
“The red cards given to Alonso and Ramos are valid, and they have therefore been suspended for one UEFA club competition match.
“The Control and Disciplinary Body has decided to impose a fine of €120,000 on Real Madrid CF. An appeal can be lodged against the decision within three days of sending the reasons for the decision.”
Ramos was one yellow card away from a European suspension and Martin Keown, co-commentator for BT Sport, noted that it seemed deliberate from the Spaniard, who was clearly planning to have a clean slate for the quarter-final .
’87: Asensio gives Real Madrid the lead
’89: Sergio Ramos yellow, will miss the second leg
“It’s very obvious he was looking to be booked there.”
Master of the Dark Arts? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/X6bfp6lKsb
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 13, 2019
Not that it mattered in the least as Ramos watched from the stands as Ajax dismantled Real 4-1 in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.
It looks like Carlo Ancelotti remembers this incident earlier this season.
The Brazil international was one yellow card away from suspension and would have been banned for the final day of the group stage against Inter Milan.
The bookings are refreshed for the Round of 16 and Casemiro would have been available for the Round of 16.
Ancelotti immediately shook his head and said no. Can you blame him?
