AL NASSR have issued a bizarre statement defending Cristiano Ronaldo after the superstar faced calls to be DESPORTED from Saudi Arabia over an indecent gesture.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner appeared to react angrily to pro-Lionel Messi chants during Al Nassr’s 2-0 defeat to Al-Hilal on Tuesday.
Ronaldo grabbed his crotch – an act which sparked outrage among many Saudis.
But Al Nassr have leapt to the defence of their star man, insisting he held his nether regions as he was nursing an injury.
Their statement read: “Ronaldo suffers from an injury.
“His challenge with Gustavo Cuellar, the Al-Hilal player, started with a blow in a very sensitive area.
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“This is confirmed information.
“As for the fans’ explanations, they are free to think whatever they want.”
Ronaldo’s grabbing of his crotch enraged many, including Professor Nouf bin Ahmed.
He wrote on social media: “I don’t follow sport.
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“Even if the crowd provoked Ronaldo, he didn’t know how to react.
“Cristiano’s behaviour is a crime.
“An indecent public act, which is one of the crimes that allows for arrest and deportation if committed by a foreigner.
“We will present a petition to the Public Ministry regarding the issue.”
Ronaldo, 38, has been a revelation for Al Nassr since joining them as a free agent last December following his acrimonious departure from Manchester United.
The Portugal skipper has scored a whopping 11 goals and notched two assists in 13 appearances for the Saudi giants.
Ronaldo and his Al Nassr team-mates will be back in action on Monday night, welcoming Al Wehda to Alawwal Park for the King Cup of Champions clash.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
