SAUDI PRO LEAGUE poster boy Cristiano Ronaldo has been slapped with a ban and fined for making an alleged offensive gesture.
The Manchester United and Real Madrid legend performed the rude gesture during the clash between Al-Nassr and Al-Shabab.
The 39-year-old helped his side to beat their Riyadh rivals 3-2 on Sunday in the Saudi Pro League game.
However, video footage appeared to show Ronaldo cupping his ear and repeatedly thrusting his hand forward near his pelvis as he seemed to be gesturing in response to Al-Shabab fans.
There were also background chants of “Messi” heard – referencing the Portuguese icon’s long-running rivalry with Argentina Lionel Messi.
Now The Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the Saudi Arabia Football Federation (SAFF) committee have announced that the goalmachine with be hit with a ban for his actions.
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In a statement released this morning, Saudi chiefs confirmed Ronaldo will miss Al-Nassr’s next match at home to Al-Hazm on Thursday and he must also pay a fine of £4,190.
That will go to Al-Shabab in order to cover the costs of the club filing the complaint, and half of that amount will also go to the federation.
The committee also declared that the decision was not open to appeal.
The incident was not actually captured by the television cameras as Al-Shabab supporters his great rival’s name.
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But Ronaldo responded to them after opening the scoring in the 21st minute from the penalty spot by racing over to the corner flag to perform his trademark celebration.
Then, later in the rollercoaster contest, the animated ace was caught by a fan on camera frantically waving his arms towards home supporters.
He cupped his ear at one point in triumph before repeatedly thrusting his hand near his pelvis, which is the gesture that has landed him in hot water.
Reports in local Saudi media claim that Ronaldo informed the committee that the gesture was one of victory and common in Europe.
It is not the first time that he has hit the headlines since joining Al-Nassr in January 2023 following his explosive exit for Man United.
Nack in April, as he left the pitch following a match with Al-Hilal, Ronaldo appeared to grab his genitals as fans chanted Messi’s name.
He claimed on that occasion that he had sustained a groin injury in the match.
Aside from those dramas, Ronaldo is currently top scorer in the league with 22 goals following his strike against Al Shabab.
He is three ahead of former Fulham ace Aleksandar Mitrovic, and seven clear of ex-Tottenham winger Georges-Kevin N’Koudou.
Al-Nassr’s win moved them onto 52 points from 21 games in the Saudi Pro League.
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They are in second place, four points behind Ruben Neves’ Al-Hilal, who also possess a game in hand.
Al Nassr are also into the last-eight of the Asian Champions League, a tournament both they and Ronaldo have never won.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
