Real Madrid defender lands Champions League ban as UEFA rules booking was a ruse

European bosses have handed Spanish defender Carvajal a two-match ban following his booking in the final minute of the 6-0 win over Apoel Nicosia on November 21.

He was charged by UEFA with "receiving a yellow card on purpose". The booking was imposed for wasting time when taking a throw-in.

It was his third yellow card in the competition and initially triggered a one-match ban, meaning he missed the final group-stage clash with Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday which was in effect a dead-rubber meeting.

But now European football's governing body has ruled Carvajal's booking was one he sought, and the two-match suspension means he will miss the first leg of Real's last-16 clash in February. The draw for that stage takes place on Monday.

"The UEFA control, ethics and disciplinary body has decided to suspend the Real Madrid CF player Dani Carvajal for two UEFA competition matches for which he would be otherwise eligible," read a UEFA statement.

"Given that the Real Madrid CF player Dani Carvajal did not participate in the match Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund played on December 6, 2017, the player still has to serve one UEFA competition match for which he would be otherwise eligible."