Real Madrid attacker Gareth Bale has been handed a two-match ban by La Liga’s competition committee following his dismissal during Los Blancos’ 3-3 home draw with Las Palmas on Wednesday evening.

The Welshman was given a straight red card by referee David Fernandez Borbalan early in the second half of the match when he was caught kicking and pushing Jonathan Viera.

For one so typically mild-mannered, it was an out-of-character reaction from Bale. However, his reputation has done little to prevent him from being punished by La Liga officials, as Spanish media outlet Marca have confirmed that he will now be suspended for Real’s upcoming league matches with Eibar and Real Betis.

Bale’s club are expected to contest the two-match ban and are set to launch an appeal in a bid to overturn the sanctions entirely, or at the very least, reduce the length of the suspension.

Speaking after the thrilling draw with Las Palmas, where his side scored two late goals to rescue a point, Los Blancos manager Zinedine Zidane revealed that Bale had apologised for his actions and was disappointed by his behaviour.

The Frenchman told Sky Sports: “He has apologised. He is not happy with the sending-off.

“This can happen, it is a fact of the game and we cannot change it. I used to be happy after the matches and now I cannot be happy lately, but this is a very long season and we are going to change it.”