Cristiano Ronaldo will be suspended for only one game after his dismissal in the Champions League, paving the way for his return for Juventus against his former club Manchester United, European soccer’s governing body UEFA said on Thursday.
Ronaldo’s Champions League debut for Juventus against Valencia last week lasted only 29 minutes before he was shown a straight red card for clashing with Jeison Murillo in a 2-0 win. He faced the prospect of missing a return to Old Trafford if his ban was extended.
However, UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) decided the 33-year-old’s punishment will not exceed a one-game suspension which means he will only be unavailable for next week’s Group H clash at Swiss side Young Boys.
“The CEDB has decided to suspend the Juventus Football Club player Cristiano Ronaldo for one UEFA competition match for which he would be otherwise eligible,” UEFA said.
Italian giants Juventus travel to Manchester for their third group fixture on Oct. 23.
Ronaldo played for United from 2003 to 2009 and helped them win Europe’s elite club competition in 2008. He then moved to Real Madrid, winning two La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies in nine years.
The five-times world player of the year signed for Juventus in the close season for 100 million euros (89 million pounds).
Milan foiled by heroic goalkeeping display in another draw
AC Milan were foiled by heroic goalkeeping from Empoli’s Pietro Terracciano as they were held 1-1 by the promoted side on Thursday, their third successive Serie A draw.
Milan got off to the ideal start when Lucas Biglia’s volley was deflected into the net off Empoli’s Leonardo Capezzi in the 10th minute.
Terracciano denied them a second goal before halftime with a double save from Giacomo Bonaventura and he also blocked Franck Kessie’s effort from the rebound.
Milan then gifted Empoli an equaliser in the 71st minute when Biglia gave away a penalty after Milan captain Alessio Romagnoli had sent an attempted clearance straight to an opponent. Francesco Caputo converted the spot kick.
Terracciano then capped his outstanding evening with a superb save to turn Suso’s shot around the post, leaving Milan with six points from five games and a modest 13th in the table.
Earlier, upstarts Sassuolo leapt into third place with a 2-0 win away to SPAL.
Claud Adjapong scored from a rebound just before the hour and Alessandro Matri added the second with a shot which went in off the post. Sassuolo have 13 points from six games, two behind second-placed Napoli.
“We have got what we deserved from these six games and we are enjoying the moment,” said Sassuolo coach Roberto De Zerbi.
Watford's Kabasele has red card rescinded
Watford defender Christian Kabasele will be available for the Premier League encounter against Arsenal at the weekend after the English Football Association rescinded the red card he received on Wednesday.
The 27-year-old was sent off for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity in a League Cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur but the FA said on Friday that Watford's appeal against his dismissal had been upheld.
"Christian Kabasele's one-match suspension has been withdrawn with immediate effect after his wrongful dismissal claim was upheld," the governing body said in a statement.
The Congolese-born Belgian has started all six of Watford's league games this season. The team lie fourth in the table, a point and two places above Arsenal, whom they visit on Saturday.
