SUMMARY
- Cristiano Ronaldo attracted attention for making an offensive gesture towards the opposition's fans.
- Ronaldo defended his action, stating that it symbolized strength and victory.
Al-Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo seized the unwanted attention after his recent offensive on-field gesture towards the crowd. The veteran number seven suggested something to the opposition’s supporters in the stands by making a gesture while his hands were close to the body’s pelvic area.
However, the stunt by Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t go too well with the Saudi Pro League’s disciplinary committee. The Al-Nassr forward has to justify his on-field actions. “I respect all clubs and the action in the shot expresses strength and victory and is not disgraceful, and we are accustomed to it in Europe”, in his defense, CR7 reportedly asserted.
He doesn’t respect anyone
— INTER MIAMI CF 🟡 (@heyy_ift) February 28, 2024
Fans around the world have reacted to CR7’s statement by expressing their opinions. One of them opined – “instead of apologizing he’s justifying his weird action”. Another fan stated – “He doesn’t respect anyone”. “The most shameless guy”, another follower expressed.
While Ronaldo has been known for his iconic after-goal celebrations over the years, this obscure gesture curtailed by him after Al-Nassr’s win over Al-Shabab in the Saudi Pro League does raise certain eyebrows. Various clips of the incident are doing rounds on social media.
Was Cristiano Ronaldo’s obscure on-field gesture triggered by ‘Messi’ chants?
As per the reports throughout most of the 90 minutes of the Saudi Pro League clash between Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr and Al-Shabab, the host’s (AL-Shabab’s) fans were chanting the name of Lionel Messi as in a wave of ‘Messi’ chants. However, this has been a common feature used by the opposition’s fans in recent times to rattle CR7’s on-field momentum.
CR7 took it all in during the initial stages of the match, but the Al-Shabab fans ultimately got the better of the veteran player as he seemed a bit frustrated by it. However, after the final whistle and Al-Nassr’s 2-3 victory, Ronaldo didn’t miss his chance to give it back to the Al-Shabab supporters.
Al-Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo faces suspension
Reports initially stated that the Saudi Pro League disciplinary committee wanted a two-game suspension for Ronaldo. But, maybe after further scrutinizing the footage of the incident and CR7’s statements, the committee staged their final verdict on the Al-Nassr forward.
🚨
OFFICIAL:
Cristiano Ronaldo suspended for ONE game and fined 10,000 Riyals.
[@Ali_alabdallh] pic.twitter.com/XzDNRLmyY3
— The CR7 Timeline. (@TimelineCR7) February 28, 2024
According to the latest reports, Cristiano Ronaldo will now face a one-match ban for his offensive gesture towards the crowd. Also, a monetary sum of about 10K Riyals ($2.66K) will be imposed on him as a fine. It has been attributed that the Saudi’s Committee decision stands firm and can’t be appealed against further.
Al-Nassr did manage to win against Al-Shabab and close the gap between them and the table-toppers, Al-Hilal, to seven points. But, they will miss CR7’s services in their upcoming Saudi League clash against Al-Hazm. Luis Castro’s team has to find a way to cope without their enigmatic Portuguese forward.