RETIRED footballer Antonio Cassano has declared that Cristiano Ronaldo risked a two-year ban after he left Juventus' stadium early during their 1-0 win against AC Milan.

The former Real Madrid forward was left furious after being hauled off in the 55th minute against the Rossoneri, with the player alleged to have exited the ground in the 87th minute.

Ronaldo, 34, is claimed to have told boss Maurizio Sarri to "go away" before storming down the tunnel after being withdrawn from play for the second match running.

But the ex-Chelsea boss had the last laugh as his replacement Paulo Dybala came off the bench to net the winner.

Things could have ended worse for Ronaldo, with former Milan and Roma striker Cassano revealing he was involved in a similar situation, and was urged to return to the stadium.

Speaking on Italian TV show Tiki-Taka, he said: "Did he leave before the end of the game? You can't do that because there is an anti-doping control.

"I had to go back to the stadium urgently to avoid a two-year ban."

There is no suggestion that Ronaldo left the game to avoid being tested.

Sarri defended Ronaldo's actions, as he said: "We must thank Ronaldo, because he made a sacrifice to be there at all tonight in a difficult situation.

"He did everything possible to play, but I saw he was not well and thought it best to take him off.

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"It’s only natural a player is going to be irritated to leave the pitch, especially when he worked so hard to be there.

"Over the last month, he has had this little knee problem, he had a knock in training and it hurt the collateral ligament.

"When he trains at high intensity or plays, it unbalances him, so he ends up overcompensating and it damages the calf and thigh muscles. It is affecting his performances and he is not at his best at the moment."

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