Carlos Gurpegi defends his conduct in Cristiano Ronaldo incident

Athletic Bilbao defender Carlos Gurpegi has insisted that he did not intend to get Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo sent off in the league match at the start of February.

The 33-year-old fell to the ground after Ronaldo raised his hands during an altercation, but the Spaniard has been criticised for his part in the dismissal.

"Cristiano called out for a foul and I told him it was not a foul and I pushed him a little in the chest," Gurpegui told Marca.

"That is when he touched my face and I fell. My reaction was to go to the ground, without any intention for the referee to send him off without previous provocation.

"I have a family and a daughter and it hurts me that things that are said about me come to their ears. I left the game satisfied to have held Real Madrid, but I was not aware of what was going to happen next."

Ronaldo subsequently received a three-match ban.