Cristiano Ronaldo Appeal Succeeds, Available for Real Madrid vs. Eibar

Cristiano Ronaldo will be available for Real Madrid's La Liga fixture with Eibar after successfully appealing the yellow card received during Wednesday's clash with Rayo Vallecano.

Phil Kitromilides of Real Madrid TV confirmed Ronaldo's participation in Saturday's match:

Ronaldo was wrongly adjudged to have dived inside the box, having come under extreme pressure from Rayo defender Antonio Amaya. Referee Mario Melero Lopez opted to book the Ballon d'Or winner for simulation, despite Amaya's tackle appearing severely mistimed.

Football Tweeted posted a video of the incident:

The Portuguese forward netted his 37th La Liga goal of the season during the match, per WhoScored.com. He appeared frustrated after being wrongly cautioned and continued to show his annoyance with an alleged "robbery" gesture during his goal celebration, per Marca.

Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press

Incidentally, the same publication provided evidence of Ronaldo utilising this same gesture twice before:

Ronaldo remains on the brink of a suspension, however. He is one yellow card away from missing the next match, so will have to consciously stay away from unnecessary trouble during the final stretch of the season.

LFP President Javier Tebas suggested the player could receive a punishment for his "calm down" celebration during Madrid's loss to Barcelona.

"We have to be careful with provocative gestures by a player when he scores a goal or with any other provocation or conduct that could incite violence among spectators," said Tebas, as reported by Iain Rogers of Reuters (h/t Daily Mail). "It must be sanctioned, from a fine up to a suspension. We will look into it."

Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images

Ronaldo is also alleged to have "touched his balls" in a provocative manner toward the referee that night, per Marca.

For now, Carlo Ancelotti and Madrid will be buoyed to have their talisman available. The capital-based club have eight matches to close the four-point gap on leaders Barcelona, a feat which appears difficult enough without losing their main goalscorer.

B/R UK's Ryan Bailey and Guillem Balague recently discussed whether the return of James Rodriguez could significantly aid Madrid's quest:

There's no doubt Ronaldo is walking a disciplinary tight-rope.

He is within touching distance of notching an impressive 40 La Liga goals this season but needs to keep his emotions in check if Madrid are to secure an unlikely return to the top.