Madrid’s Gareth Bale faces possible 12-match ban for celebration

Real midfielder Gareth Bale shoots the ball as warming up during the first leg, round of sixteen, Champions League soccer match between Ajax and Real Madrid at the Johan Cruyff ArenA in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Wednesday Feb. 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

MADRID— Gareth Bale could face a suspension of up to 12 matches because of a gesture he made toward fans during Real Madrid’s 3-1 derby win at Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

The 29-year-old Bale has been reported by La Liga to the Spanish Football Federation over his celebration after scoring Real Madrid’s third goal.

A statement on La Liga’s official website says Bale “moves his right arm up towards his head in a signal of provocation towards the fans, creating a possibly obscene gesture by moving his other arm and striking halfway up his right arm.”

That gesture is considered offensive in Spain.

The statement says Bale could be suspended for four to 12 matches if he is deemed to have intentionally provoked the crowd. However, it could also be a shorter suspension — or no ban at all if his celebration is not deemed to be provocative.

The goal was Bale’s 100th for Real Madrid. He joined the Spanish club from Tottenham in 2013.