Portuguese and Al-Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo has been banned for one match and fined for “provoking” Al-Shabab fans during a Saudi Pro League match on Sunday.
The incident occurred after Al Nassr’s 3-2 victory against Riyadh-based rival Al-Shabab.
In footage from the match, Ronaldo can be seen putting his hand to his ear, listening to the chants of opposing Al-Shabab fans. He then gestured with his hand towards his groin towards the spectators in the stands, while opposition fans can be heard chanting the name of his former rival, Lionel Messi.
This Wednesday, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) stated that the 39-year-old striker violated article (57-1) of the Disciplinary and Ethics Regulations.
As a result, Ronaldo was suspended for one match and has been ordered to pay around US$2,666 (10,000 rials) to the SAFF and an additional US$5,333 (20,000 rials) to Al-Shabab for filing fees.
The decision cannot be appealed, SAFF added.
Before the official announcement, there had been speculation about whether the SAFF would take action against its biggest star.
Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, joined Al-Nassr following Manchester United’s tough exit from the English Premier League at the end of 2022. He scored 14 goals in 16 league games last year and is the team’s top scorer. the league during the current campaign with 22 goals in 20 appearances.
The former Real Madrid and Juventus star became the biggest name to join the Saudi Pro League in January 2023, which saw an influx of European talent that same summer.
«The disciplinary committee [SAFF] he faces the biggest test,” prominent Saudi journalist Waleed Al-Farraj wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, before Ronaldo’s ban was announced. «We will wait and see. Everything has its limits, no matter how big a star is. “That’s what the big leagues are like.”
Ronaldo opened the scoring from the penalty spot for Al-Nassr on Sunday, before Yannick Carrasco leveled things at 1-1 with a penalty of his own before half-time following a challenge from Aymeric Laporte inside the area.
Al-Nassr regained the lead one minute into the second half thanks to Anderson Talisca, but Al-Shabab equalized again, this time with a goal from Carlos Júnior from close range to make it 2-2.
However, it was Ronaldo’s team that would have the final say as Talisca secured their double deep into the match to secure a 3-2 victory.
Ronaldo will miss Al-Nassr’s match against Al-Hazm next Thursday due to his suspension.
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