Cristiano Ronaldo loves the attention and adoration of millions of fans. He understands the power of that attention and its impact.
So, while I usually favour absolute equity in disciplinary punishments, I am hugely disappointed that he hasn't been handed the heaviest sanction possible - 12 weeks - imposed on him. Instead, I think he's got away lightly with just a five-match ban.
Looking at the way he deliberately shoved referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea after being shown the red card for his second booking, there could be no excuses, no mitigation ('the second yellow card was harsh'). Certainly, there could not be any pandering to the mighty Real Madrid or concession to their poster boy.
Cristiano Ronaldo avoided a 12-match ban for pushing referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea
Ronaldo reacts with disbelief after he is shown a second yellow card for simulation
Rather than appeal the second yellow card (thankfully not permitted in England), Real Madrid's management team should tell Ronaldo to stop getting a yellow card for removing his shirt. Yes, we all know he looks wonderful – but, no, we don't need reminding every week.
It is always going to result in a caution and leave the posing player susceptible to that soft second for another 'technical' offence.
Footballers from the Premier League down to kids' teams must be shown that touching, pushing or striking a match official is totally unacceptable and a five-match ban just does not do that.
Ronaldo holds his shirt up to the Nou Camp crowd - earning his first yellow card of the match
THE FIVE MATCHES RONALDO WILL MISS August 16 - vs Barcelona (home) -Spanish Super Cup second leg August 20 - vs Deportivo (away) August 27 - vs Valencia (home) September 9 - vs Levante (home) September 17 - vs Real Sociedad (away)
A previous offence of a similar nature by Las Palmas striker Marko Livaja only attracted a four-match ban. So, as the offence has now been repeated by another player, it was clearly not a deterrent.
Offences at the top level here are thankfully rare.
Southampton midfielder David Prutton got a 10-match ban for his push on referee Alan Wiley. That eclipsed the highest-profile push on Paul Alcock by Paolo Di Canio that resulted in an eight-match ban.
Young lads all over the world watch and copy Ronaldo and his great rival Lionel Messi, and they benefit in image rights as a result. These top-profile players must be shown that they need to behave like the role models they proport to be.