Cristiano Ronaldo Suspended for Obscene Gesture in Saudi Pro League Match
In a recent development, renowned footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has been handed a one-match suspension following an incident during a Saudi Pro League match.
Cristiano Ronaldo to Miss Next Match for Al Nassr due to Suspension
The Portuguese star, playing for Al Nassr, was found guilty of making an obscene pelvic gesture towards Al Shabab fans after his team’s victory.
The reason why is Ronaldo suspended is because of The incident that occurred post-match, where Ronaldo was seen cupping his ear and making repeated pelvic thrusts in response to chants reportedly aimed at his long-time rival Lionel Messi. Although not captured by television cameras, the gesture sparked controversy among fans and pundits alike.
As per the decision by the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the Saudi Football Federation, Ronaldo faces a fine of 10,000 Saudi riyals to the Federation and an additional 20,000 riyals to Al Shabab to cover complaint filing fees. Notably, the ruling is not subject to appeal.
Ronaldo defended his actions by claiming the gesture was a common celebratory move in European football. However, this explanation did little to mitigate the fallout from the incident.
Not the First Time for Ronaldo
This is not the first time Ronaldo’s Suspension or his courted controversy in the Saudi Pro League. Earlier in the season, he was embroiled in a similar incident where he allegedly grabbed his genitals in response to chants of Messi’s name. Al Nassr cited a groin injury suffered during the match as part of his defense.
In another incident, Ronaldo attracted anger from fans after a fan threw an Al Hilal shawl at him near the tunnel. His response, which involved pointing at his crotch area before discarding the shawl, further fueled the controversy surrounding his behaviour.
Ronaldo’s tenure at Al Nassr has been marked by both stellar performances on the pitch, where he currently leads the league in goals scored, and off-field incidents that have garnered significant attention.