Real Madrid star Gareth Bale is facing a potential TWELVE-game ban for his celebration in last week's 3-1 win against local rivals Atletico Madrid.
La Liga's organising body said on Thursday that he had provoked the home supporters at the Wanda Metropolitano after netting the goal to put Real 3-1 up.
The league said in a statement they would refer the incident to the Spanish soccer federation's competition committee, who will then decide if the Wales forward should be punished.
The statement said Bale, who scored Real's third goal, 'lifted his right arm near his head in a clear sign of provocation towards the fans, then giving a gesture which could be seen as obscene and disdainful by folding his arm and striking it with his other hand.'
Bale's celebration has been interpreted in Spain as an offensive gesture known colloquially as a 'corte de mangas', akin to holding up a middle finger.
The league added that since February 2018, any 'offensive goal celebration which could cause tension among supporters or been as contrary to good sportsmanship' would be referred to the competition committee.
If the committee determines that Bale intentionally caused a hostile reaction among supporters, he will be banned for between four and 12 games, according to the federation's statutes.
If the committee finds that he did not cause a hostile reaction but still intended to provoke supporters, he will be suspended for between one and three games.
Bale is not the only Real Madrid player currently causing controversy, with Sergio Ramos also facing a ban after admitting he deliberately got himself booked against Ajax in order to miss the second leg of the club's Champions League tie.
Real Madrid are pessimistic about Ramos' chances of escaping a two-match ban after the incident on Wednesday.
The captain's 'on-tape' confession on Wednesday night will make it very hard for the club to defend their captain if UEFA's control ethics and disciplinary body decide to take a hard line with the Spain defender.
Pimp1926
92
Atleast that is 12 games he won't be injured for!
Tottenham-Eriksen
73
No problem......Bale has very little effect in the pitch......
Hasbcipsuz
62
finally he's gonna be at his max fitness, until he starts playing again
Realmadridforlife555
56
Like I said its the only way to bring Madrid down
rmcfc9
52
He won't be banned, the swiss players at the world cup didn't have any punishments or at least didn't have very severe punishments for their Albanian eagle celebrations.
busdimoru
48
what!!!???how about di maria ban....he say FCK off to man utd fan in UCL
Puubcdorz
48
12 game ban is to much considering he never plays often. He is a good player but injuries have destroyed his spell in Real Madrid
Loyal_Ben
45
spare Gareth Bale please...12 games ban? you dont need to because he might get injured next match and not play the whole season
Cuskmru
44
I don't really know if it's the injury made him to lose everything, such as speed,skills,he's even playing like a woman nowadays, he can't mark his opponent,he's falling back too much,please someone should advice him to cut his hairs,Because since he started growing it, he's becoming more like a woman on the pitch of play,