Football : Sanction for Cristiano Ronaldo following an alleged offensive gesture during a match in Saudi Arabia
Cristiano Ronaldo has been handed a one-match suspension for an alleged offensive gesture during a Saudi Pro League match while playing for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
Following Al-Nassr’s 3-2 victory over Al-Shabab, videos showed Ronaldo covering his ear and making a gesture forward near his waist, apparently in response to Al-Shabab supporters chanting « Messi » in reference to Lionel Messi.
The disciplinary and ethics committee of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation announced the sanction, which includes a fine of 20.000 Saudi riyals (5,333 dollars) to Al-Shabab and half of that amount to the federation. Ronaldo will also have to miss the next match against Al-Hazm.
Although the incident was not captured by television cameras, Ronaldo’s gesture sparked criticism in Saudi Arabia. The player claimed it was a common victory gesture in Europe.
This is not the first controversy since Ronaldo arrived at Al-Nassr in December 2022. Last April, he was filmed grabbing his genitals while supporters chanted Messi’s name, allegedly due to a groin injury.
Ronaldo, who has scored 22 goals in the league since his arrival, opened the scoring against Al Shabab with a penalty in the first half. Al Nassr is also in the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League.
