Uefa have begun an investigation into alleged improper conduct from Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho and four of his players this week.
The charges comes after Tuesday evening’s 4-0 win over Ajax in Amsterdam, in which Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos were both sent off late on.
The Spain pair received second yellow cards for taking suspiciously lengthy periods of time to take a free-kick and goal kick respectively and eventually wore out the patience of referee Craig Thomson, who brandished the reds.
The red cards mean that both players will sit out the final group stage game against Auxerre in a fortnight’s time, and will have clean slates when the knockout stages begin in the spring. Real were already assured of their place in the last 16 ahead of the Ajax drubbing.
As well as Mourinho, Alonso and Ramos, goalkeeping duo Iker Casillas and Jerzy Dudek are also being investigated, with it deemed that they relayed messages to the sent off duo from Mourinho, who was pictured talking to Alonso on the touchline, not long before the former Liverpool man was dismissed.
Article 5.1 of UEFA's regulations - which deals with sportsmanship - dictates that they could both have their suspensions extended if found guilty of an unsporting act.
Mourinho said after Tuesday’s match, when quite the fuss was being kicked up: "I spoke with many players throughout the game, not only with Ramos and Alonso. The two red cards were the result of strange referee bookings in an easy game to monitor.
"I didn't like them one bit, but if Ramos or Alonso can't face Auxerre others will take their place. We will not give our game against the French away. We want to win all our matches."
Meanwhile, Uefa have also opened an improper conduct case against Romanian side CFR 1907 Cluj after their manager Sorin Carţu smashed the perspex side of the dugout with his foot during his side’s 1-0 loss to Basle in Switzerland.
Cluj have since dismissed Cartu and promoted his assistant Alin Minteuan.