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Gareth Bale Could Face 12-Match Ban for 'Obscene' Celebration in Atletico Win

Gareth Bale's celebration after scoring his 100th Real Madrid goal recently could cost the 29-year-old as many as 12 matches this season if La Liga and the Spanish Football Association judge his actions were "obscene."

Bale celebrated after netting the clinching goal in Los Blancos' 3-1 win away to city rivals Atletico Madrid on Saturday. What followed was interpreted by some as "a gesture of possible obscene and derogatory meaning," per a statement from La Liga (h/t Goal's Chris Burton).

The Wales international was said to have "gestured in the direction of fans close to the sideline when celebrating after taking abuse from the terraces," according to Burton.