Gareth Bale 'facing 12-match suspension'

Real Madrid attacker Gareth Bale could be banned for 12 matches for a gesture that he made during his team's 3-1 win over Atletico Madrid in La Liga last weekend.

Bale registered his 100th goal for Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano, coming off the bench to score in the 74th minute.

The Welshman celebrated by making a gesture which involved him raising a bent arm and hitting it with his other hand, which is deemed to be offensive in Spain.

A statement from La Liga has revealed that the Spanish Football Federation has been approached, which could lead to a long suspension for the former Tottenham Hotspur left-back.

"In the celebration of Bale's goal, he waves his right arm to the proximity of his head, in a predictable sign of encouraging provocation to the public, subsequently making a gesture of possible obscene and contemptuous meaning, raising the bent arm and hitting the middle of it with the other hand," read a La Liga statement.

"The possible sanctions for these provocations vary. If it occurs, the offender will be sanctioned with suspension of four to 12 games, if the animosity of the public, the suspension will be from one to three parties or for a period of up to one month."

Bale has scored 12 times for Los Blancos this season, but he continues to cut an isolated figure at the Bernabeu and speculation surrounding his long-term future with the club is refusing to dissipate.