Cristiano Ronaldo free to face Manchester United as Uefa confirm one-match ban for Champions League red card
The Portuguese superstar was shown a straight red card by Felix Brych against Valencia
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Your support makes all the difference.Cristiano Ronaldo will be available to return to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the Champions League next month after Uefa confirmed the Juventus striker will only serve a one-match ban for his red card against Valencia.
The Portuguese superstar was shown a straight red card by referee Felix Brych in the 29th minute at Estadio Mestalla after a goal-line assistant saw him put his hand on the head of Valencia defender Jeison Murillo, who had fallen to the ground.
Juventus went on to win the match 2-0 despite being down to 10 men courtesy of two Miralem Pjanic penalties, but Uefa had the power to increase Ronaldo's automatic one-match ban if they deemed his offence worthy of further punishment.
Their decision not to increase the sanction means Ronaldo will be unavailable for Juventus when the Serie A champions take on Swiss side Young Boys at home on 2 October, but will be back in time to make an emotional return to Old Trafford when United host Massimiliano Allegri's men on 23 October.
A statement issued by Uefa's Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body read: "The CEDB has decided to suspended the Juventus Football Club player Cristiano Ronaldo for one (1) UEFA competition match for which he would be otherwise eligible."
Ronaldo is the Champions League's all-time top scorer with 120 goals and is sure to be warmly received at Old Trafford, where he won three Premier League titles, two League Cups, one FA Cup, the Champions League and the first of his five Ballon d'Or awards in six glorious seasons with United.
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