Ronaldo with fair play: referee takes back penalty

Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo showed fair play in the Asian Champions League. The Portuguese was awarded a penalty in his Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr’s home game against Persepolis from Iran, but immediately took action. The Chinese referee Ma Ning called back the whistle and the game ended 0-0.

Ronaldo fell in the penalty area after a challenge and Ma Ning immediately pointed to the spot. Ronaldo jumped up, walked towards the referee, wagged his finger, shook his head and told him there had been no foul. After consulting with the VAR, the referee went to the pitchside screen and overturned his decision.

Ronaldo’s team had to make do with ten men for almost the entire game because Ali Lajami was shown a red card in the 17th minute. Ronaldo was substituted with 13 minutes left with a neck injury.

The point was enough for Al Nassr to secure a place in the knockout rounds as group winners. Ronaldo has little time to recover as Al Nassr face Al Hilal in a top-flight league game on Friday.

(sid)