Real Madrid admit they are "surprised" by today`s announcement that UEFA have charged coach Jose Mourinho and four players after launching an investigation into whether Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso deliberately incurred red cards during Tuesday's Champions League match with Ajax.

Ramos and Alonso, together with Jerzy Dudek and Iker Casillas, are also under investigation for alleged improper conduct.

A statement from UEFA today said: "UEFA has confirmed that a disciplinary case has been opened against Real Madrid for the improper conduct of coach Jose Mourinho and players Xabi Alonso, Sergio Ramos, Iker Casillas and Jerzy Dudek during the UEFA Champions League Group G match against AFC Ajax in Amsterdam on Tuesday."

Madrid responded this evening with a statement which read: "Real Madrid expresses its surprise for such a decision, as it understands it does not follow the content of UEFA's Disciplinary Regulations."

Alonso and Ramos were both sent off late in the 4-0 win in Holland after receiving second yellow cards for time-wasting.

That means the two Spain internationals will be suspended for Madrid's final Group G match against Auxerre - which is a dead rubber for the already-qualified Spanish side - but could see their disciplinary records wiped clean ahead of the knockout stages.

There have been accusations that both cautions were deliberately incurred, with substitute goalkeeper Dudek apparently relaying a message - via Casillas - that Alonso and Ramos, having already been booked, should time-waste and seek second yellows so as to get any ban out of the way.

Alonso delayed taking a free-kick in his own half and Ramos delayed taking a goal-kick for Casillas.

The case will be dealt with by the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body on Tuesday, November 30.