体坛英语新闻：Ronaldo appeal rejected for second time

MADRID, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Spanish Committee of Sporting Discipline (CEDD) this Friday rejected the appeal Real Madrid had lodged over Cristiano Ronaldo's two game suspension.

Ronaldo served the first match of the suspension, which he received for lashing out and breaking the nose of Malaga defender Mtiglia a fortnight ago, when he sat out last weekend's win against Deportivo la Coruna.

Real Madrid wanted the forward to be available for Saturday's home match against Espanyol.

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo runs for the ball during their Spanish first division soccer match against Malaga at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid January 24, 2010.

Although the CEDD had last week rejected an appeal to suspend the ban, the club again took its case to the government controlled body in a bid to overturn what remained of the suspension.

However, the CEDD again rejected Real's allegations and Ronaldo will now have to wait until next weekend's trip to Xerez before returning to action.

It was not the best news for the Portuguese international on his 25th birthday.