The Saudi Arabian Football Association handed superstar Cristiano Ronaldo a one-game suspension after the 39-year-old aimed an offensive gesture towards opposition fans.
The incident occurred after Ronaldo scored his side's winner in a recent 3-2 victory against Al Shabab, when the forward was subjected to chants of “Messi” throughout and responded by thrusting his hands against his pelvis after scoring. As a result, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner missed the club's recent match against Al-Hazm, which ended in a 4-4 draw.
Cristiano Ronaldo serves one-match ban for offensive gesture
What did the Saudi Arabian FA say?
Officials of the Saudi Arabian Pro League were far from impressed, saying: “the disciplinary and ethics committee at the Saudi Arabian Football Federation has issued a one-match ban to Cristiano Ronaldo as well as a 10,000 Saudi Riyal [£2,100] fine to Saff and 20,000 SAR fine payable to the opposition club Al-Shabab FC for ‘provoking fans’ or ‘inciting fans’ as per article 57 of the disciplinary and ethics committee at the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.”
Ronaldo responded by insisting that his celebration was an expression of “strength and victory” while explaining that gestures such as this are normal in European football.
Difficulties for Ronaldo continue in Saudi Arabia
His recent ban continues a long line of difficulties for the striker since he made his mega-money move to Saudi Arabia. Initially, the 39-year-old struggled for form at his new club and received plenty of criticism from fans online as a result.
Shortly after his move, Ronaldo also explained that he found it difficult to adapt to life in the country, citing the heat and later training sessions as the two main obstacles preventing him from reaching the form that propelled him into the history of football forever.
There have of course been positives, and his ability to consistently score important goals is still apparent, but Ronaldo's time in Saudi Arabia continues to be far from plain sailing.