Current：Home > ContactCristiano Ronaldo suspended for one match over alleged offensive gesture in Saudi league game -WealthRoots Academy
Cristiano Ronaldo suspended for one match over alleged offensive gesture in Saudi league game
View
Date：2025-04-18 10:11:09
Cristiano Ronaldo has been suspended for one match for making an alleged offensive gesture during a Saudi Arabia league game while playing for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.
After Al-Nassr defeated Riyadh rival Al-Shabab 3-2 on Sunday, video footage appeared to show Ronaldo cupping his ear and repeatedly thrusting his hand forward near his pelvis, in a gesture that seemed to be aimed at Al-Shabab fans.
Background chants of “Messi,” referencing Ronaldo’s longstanding soccer rival Lionel Messi, could be heard.
The Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the Saudi Arabia Football Federation (SAFF) committee announced the ban on social media early Thursday morning local time. Al-Nassr’s next league game is at home to Al-Hazm on Thursday.
The former Real Madrid and Manchester United star will also have to pay a fine of 20,000 Saudi Riyals ( $5,333) to Al-Shabab, to cover the costs of the club filing the complaint, and half of that amount to the federation.
FILE - Cristiano Ronaldo speaks during a press conference for his official unveiling as a new member of Al Nassr soccer club in in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. Cristiano Ronaldo has come under heavy criticism after seemingly making an offensive gesture following Al Nassr’s 3-2 victory over Al Shabab in a Saudi Pro League match on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil, File)
The committee said that the decision was not open to appeal.
While the incident was not captured by television cameras, the actions of Ronaldo, who scored a first-half penalty in the game, were widely criticized in Saudi Arabia by former players and commentators.
According to reports in the Saudi Arabia media, the 39-year-old told the committee that the gesture was one of victory and common in Europe.
It is not the first time that the Portuguese forward has been at the center of controversy since joining Al-Nassr. Last April, upon leaving the field after a game against Al-Hilal, Ronaldo appeared to grab his genitals as fans chanted Messi’s name. On that occasion, Al-Nassr said that the forward had sustained a groin injury in the match.
FILE - Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal playing for a combined XI of Saudi Arabian teams Al Nassr and PSG during a friendly soccer match, at the King Saud University Stadium, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. Cristiano Ronaldo has come under heavy criticism after seemingly making an offensive gesture following Al Nassr’s 3-2 victory over Al Shabab in a Saudi Pro League match on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla, File)
Ronaldo, who moved to the Riyadh-based club in December 2022, has a league-leading 22 goals. His scored the opener against Al Shabab, a first-half penalty.
Al Nassr is also in the quarterfinals of the Asian Champions League, a tournament it has never won.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
veryGood！ (38)
Related
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- Ousted Standing Rock Leader on the Pipeline Protest That Almost Succeeded
- Kendall Jenner and Bad Bunny’s Matching Moment Is So Good
- Devastated Puerto Rico Tests Fairness of Response to Climate Disasters
- The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
- New Climate Warnings in Old Permafrost: ‘It’s a Little Scary Because it’s Happening Under Our Feet.’
- Get $95 Worth of Peter Thomas Roth Skincare Masks for 50% Off
- Zendaya’s Fashion Emergency Has Stylist Law Roach Springing Into Action
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Woman dead, 9 injured after fireworks explosion at home in Michigan
Ranking
- Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
- Ahead of the Climate Summit, Environmental Groups Urge Biden to Champion Methane Reductions as a Quick Warming Fix
- Jana Kramer Is Pregnant with Baby No. 3, Her First With Fiancé Allan Russell
- Get $95 Worth of Peter Thomas Roth Skincare Masks for 50% Off
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- Dismissing Trump’s EPA Science Advisors, Regan Says the Agency Will Return to a ‘Fair and Transparent Process’
- Vanessa and Nick Lachey Taking Much Needed Family Time With Their 3 Kids
- In Georgia, 16 Superfund Sites Are Threatened by Extreme Weather Linked to Climate Change
Recommendation
Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
Man in bulletproof vest fatally shoots 5, injures 2 in Philadelphia; suspect in custody
Vanderpump Rules: Raquel Leviss Wanted to Be in a Throuple With Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix
Maternal deaths in the U.S. more than doubled over two decades with Black mothers dying at the highest rate
Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
A California company has received FAA certification for its flying car
Firework injuries send people to hospitals across U.S. as authorities issue warnings
Top Oil Industry Group Disputes African-American Health Study, Cites Genetics