Gareth Bale celebration: Real Madrid star facing possible 12-game ban for 'possibly obscene gesture' at Atletico

Real Madrid star Gareth Bale is facing a ban of up to 12 games over his controversial celebration in Saturday's Madrid derby.

The Welshman came off the bench to score the third in a 3-1 win over local rivals Atletico, and celebrated in front of the home fans at the Wanda Metropolitano.

LaLiga have issued a written complaint, stating that Bale's celebration was deliberately 'encouraging provocation' with a 'gesture of possible obscene and contemptuous meaning'.

If he is found to have been deliberately enticing fans, Bale will face a ban of between four and 12 games, while he could face a suspension of up to three games even if escaping that charge.

Though the maximum suspension seems unlikely for an incident of this nature, with Madrid six points off leaders Barcelona and with only 15 games to play, and significant absence could be crucial.

Following his impressive cameo in the derby, Bale was recalled to the Madrid starting XI for the Champions League clash against Ajax, but was disappointing, and eventually replaced by Lucas Vazquez.