Real Madrid's Gareth Bale facing possible 12-match ban | OneFootball

Gareth Bale could be banned for as many as 12 matches following his celebration in Saturday’s Madrid derby.

Bale scored his 100th Real Madrid goal to clinch a 3-1 victory for his side against rivals Atlético at the Wanda Metropolitano.

And when celebrating the goal, the Welshman “lifted his right arm near his head in a clear sign of provocation towards the fans, then giving a gesture which could be seen as obscene and disdainful by folding his arm and striking it with his other hand.”

A statement released by LaLiga on Thursday confirmed that they are investigating the celebration to determine if Bale incited the home supporters or not.

If the 29-year-old is found guilty of “inciting opposition fans” to cause a hostile reaction, he could be banned for four to 12 games.

If there was no hostile reaction, the ban is likely to be one to three games.

In Spain, the gesture Bale is alleged to have made is known as corte de mangas, which literally translates as cutting the sleeve and is highly offensive.

In 2007, former Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel escaped punishment from Uefa after doing the gesture to Real Madrid’s supporters while playing for Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

But a LaLiga committee will now decide whether Bale’s gesture warrants punishment.