‘Things like that tarnish football’

Sergio Ramos has said the standing of the game has been damaged by the incident in which Cristiano Ronaldo was hit by a lighter.

The object was thrown from the Atletico Madrid supporters during Real Madrid’s 2-0 win in the Copa del Rey at Vicente Calderon.

Ronaldo and Ramos were leaving the pitch at half time in the 5-0 aggregate win when the forward was struck on the head.

“We were talking, I can’t remember about what, but we were laughing and then I saw it hit him,” Ramos told reporters after the match.

“These things tarnish the image of football and measures have to be taken.

“Don’t punish everyone in the stadium, because they should not pay for the sins of one person.

“But with the cameras in today’s football you either punish or be left without football coming here and stay at home.”

Ramos was walking a disciplinary tight-rope in the match, where a yellow card would have seen him suspended for the final.

Pepe was in a similar situation and Coach Carlo Ancelotti chose not to field the Portuguese and withdrew Ramos at half-time.

“Experiences teaches you well and maybe I used by sixth sense and was a little calmer,” Ramos said.

“I could have lost a final but the Coach decided to put me in and keep back Pepe.

“In this games the crowd plays a part but they’ve been very quiet. The result was with us at the break and the Coach decided to take me off.”

Ramos added that the manner of victory should be praised considering the standard of the opposition.

“Atletico have incredible numbers in the stadium and we knew we had to come here with the result of the first leg forgotten.

“Anything can happen and we came here with very clear ideas. The result is a fair one but this was not an easy game.”

Madrid have progressed to the competition’s final with a sterling defensive record, something in which Ramos takes particular pride.

“It’s a collective work. Three months ago people talked about the ruin of the Real Madrid defence and today they speak of strength.

“Overall, the work is done collectively and Madrid are very balanced.”

Tags Cristiano Ronaldo Sergio Ramos
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