The referee who red-carded Cristiano Ronaldo at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday has been suspended even though Real Madrid's appeal against the dismissal was rejected.
Miguel Ángel Ayza Gámez was heavily criticised for his decision to send off Ronaldo in the second-half of Madrid's 1-1 draw in Bilbao on Sunday night.
The Spanish Football Federation upheld the decision, despite Real's appeal, however the Spanish League's Refereeing Technical Committee (CTA) has dropped Gámez for a month and he will not officiate Real matches again this season.
Ronaldo was sent off for the seventh time in his career as Real failed to capitalise on Barcelona's defeat to Valencia on Saturday.
The Portuguese received his marching orders for reacting to a shove by Carlos Gurpegi and then a confrontation with Ander Iturraspe in the 75th minute, although he appeared to be more sinned against than sinner.
Ronaldo's red vs Athletic
Athletic Club v Real Madrid CF - La Liga(01 of25)
BILBAO, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 02: Cristiano Ronaldo (2nd R) is shown a red card during the La Liga match between Athletic Club and Real Madrid CF at San Mames Stadium on February 2, 2014 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Real Madrid's Brazilian defender Marcelo (R) argues with referee after Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo was shown a redcard during the Spanish league football match Athletic Club Bilbao vs Real Madrid CF at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao on February 2, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ ANDER GILLENEA (Photo credit should read ANDER GILLENEA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Athletic Club v Real Madrid CF - La Liga(03 of25)
BILBAO, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 02: Cristiano Ronaldo (R) of Real Madrid CF smiles after being shown a red card by the referee Ayza Gamez during the La Liga match between Athletic Club and Real Madrid CF at San Mames Stadium on February 2, 2014 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (L) reacts as teammates argue with Athletic's ones during the Spanish league football match Athletic Club Bilbao vs Real Madrid CF at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao on February 2, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ ANDER GILLENEA (Photo credit should read ANDER GILLENEA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Athletic Club v Real Madrid CF - La Liga(05 of25)
BILBAO, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 02: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF reacts dejected during the La Liga match between Athletic Club and real Madrid CF at San Mames Stadium on February 2, 2014 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Athletic Club v Real Madrid CF - La Liga(06 of25)
BILBAO, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 02: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF smiles after being shown a red card by the referee Ayza Gamez during the La Liga match between Athletic Club and Real Madrid CF at San Mames Stadium on February 2, 2014 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-LIGA-ATHLETIC-REALMADRID(07 of25)
Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (L) reacts as teammates argue with Athletic's ones during the Spanish league football match Athletic Club Bilbao vs Real Madrid CF at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao on February 2, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ ANDER GILLENEA (Photo credit should read ANDER GILLENEA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Athletic Club v Real Madrid CF - La Liga(08 of25)
BILBAO, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 02: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF argues with Athletic Club players during the La Liga match between Athletic Club and Real Madrid CF at San Mames Stadium on February 2, 2014 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Athletic Club v Real Madrid CF - La Liga(09 of25)
BILBAO, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 02: Carlos Gurpegi of Athletic Club is is brought down by Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF during the La Liga match between Athletic Club and Real Madrid CF at San Mames Stadium on February 2, 2014 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Athletic Club v Real Madrid CF - La Liga(10 of25)
BILBAO, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 02: Carlos Gurpegi of Athletic Club is is brought down by Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF during the La Liga match between Athletic Club and Real Madrid CF at San Mames Stadium on February 2, 2014 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Athletic Club v Real Madrid CF - La Liga(11 of25)
BILBAO, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 02: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF argues with Athletic Club players during the La Liga match between Athletic Club and Real Madrid CF at San Mames Stadium on February 2, 2014 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Athletic Club v Real Madrid CF - La Liga(12 of25)
BILBAO, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 02: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF reacts next his Head Coach Carlo Ancelotti (3rd R) of Real Madrid CF as he leaves the pitch after being shown a red card by the referee Ayza Gamez during the La Liga match between Athletic Club and Real Madrid CF at San Mames Stadium on February 2, 2014 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Athletic Club v Real Madrid CF - La Liga(13 of25)
BILBAO, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 02: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF argues with Athletic Club players during the La Liga match between Athletic Club and Real Madrid CF at San Mames Stadium on February 2, 2014 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (C) leaves the pitch past Real Madrid's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti (L) after he was shown a red card during the Spanish league football match Athletic Club Bilbao vs Real Madrid CF at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao on February 2, 2014. The game ended in a draw 1-1. AFP PHOTO/ ANDER GILLENEA (Photo credit should read ANDER GILLENEA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Athletic Club v Real Madrid CF - La Liga(15 of25)
BILBAO, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 02: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF argues with Athletic Club players during the La Liga match between Athletic Club and Real Madrid CF at San Mames Stadium on February 2, 2014 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Athletic Club v Real Madrid CF - La Liga(16 of25)
BILBAO, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 02: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF reacts as he leaves the pitch after being shown a red card by the referee Ayza Gamez during the La Liga match between Athletic Club and Real Madrid CF at San Mames Stadium on February 2, 2014 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Athletic Club v Real Madrid CF - La Liga(17 of25)
BILBAO, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 02: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF reacts as he leaves the pitch after being shown a red card by the referee Ayza Gamez during the La Liga match between Athletic Club and Real Madrid CF at San Mames Stadium on February 2, 2014 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Athletic Club v Real Madrid CF - La Liga(18 of25)
BILBAO, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 02: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF reacts as he leaves the pitch after being shown a red card by the referee Ayza Gamez during the La Liga match between Athletic Club and Real Madrid CF at San Mames Stadium on February 2, 2014 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Athletic Club v Real Madrid CF - La Liga(19 of25)
BILBAO, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 02: Cristiano Ronaldo (L) of Real Madrid CF heads Ander Iturraspe of Athletic Club during the La Liga match between Athletic Club and Real Madrid CF at San Mames Stadium on February 2, 2014 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Athletic Club v Real Madrid CF - La Liga(20 of25)
BILBAO, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 02: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF tussles Ander Iturraspe of Athletic Club during the La Liga match between Athletic Club and Real Madrid CF at San Mames Stadium on February 2, 2014 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Athletic Club v Real Madrid CF - La Liga(21 of25)
BILBAO, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 02: Carlos Gurpegi of Athletic Club is is brought down by Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF during the La Liga match between Athletic Club and Real Madrid CF at San Mames Stadium on February 2, 2014 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo leaves the pitch after he was shown a red card during the Spanish league football match Athletic Club Bilbao vs Real Madrid CF at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao on February 2, 2014. The game ended in a draw 1-1. AFP PHOTO/ ANDER GILLENEA (Photo credit should read ANDER GILLENEA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Athletic Club v Real Madrid CF - La Liga(23 of25)
BILBAO, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 02: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF reacts towards head coach Carlo Ancelotti (L) of Real Madrid CF as he leaves the pitch after being shown a red card by the referee Ayza Gamez during the La Liga match between Athletic Club and Real Madrid CF at San Mames Stadium on February 2, 2014 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-LIGA-ATHLETIC-REALMADRID(24 of25)
Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo leaves the pitch after he was shown a red card during the Spanish league football match Athletic Club Bilbao vs Real Madrid CF at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao on February 2, 2014. The game ended in a draw 1-1. AFP PHOTO/ ANDER GILLENEA (Photo credit should read ANDER GILLENEA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Athletic Club v Real Madrid CF - La Liga(25 of25)
BILBAO, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 02: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF leaves the pitch after being shown a red card by the referee Ayza Gamez during the La Liga match between Athletic Club and Real Madrid CF at San Mames Stadium on February 2, 2014 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)