Madrid, Jan 26 : Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo has defended his actions after being sent off during his side''s 2-0 victory over Malaga.

The world''s most expensive player was handed over the marching orders for catching Patrick Mtiliga with an elbow, a challenge which left the Malaga man with a broken nose.

“It was a shameful decision to send me off for that because all I was doing was trying to hold the player off and it''s because I was educated not to dive and cheat in England,” The Sun quoted Ronaldo, as saying.

“I was just a kid when I arrived at United and in the Premier League I was taught that trying to con the referee and play-acting are not acceptable. Now I get really angry when I see other players cheating,” he added.

The 24-year-old did apologize for the fact that his opponent suffered an injury, but maintains that it was not a deliberate attack.

“I was trying to shrug myself clear and I really didn''t try to elbow him. It''s not my fault. He''s a little guy, about 5ft 7in, and that meant I caught his nose by accident,” Ronaldo said.

“It makes me furious that the ref sent me off for that - even if TV showed his nose bleeding a little bit,” he added. (ANI)