Current：Home > ContactCristiano Ronaldo suspended for one match over alleged offensive gesture in Saudi league game -Secure Horizon Growth
Cristiano Ronaldo suspended for one match over alleged offensive gesture in Saudi league game
View
Date：2025-04-18 12:19:06
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！ (95)
Related
- Toyota to invest $922 million to build a new paint facility at its Kentucky complex
- Mardi Gras beads in New Orleans are creating an environmental concern
- Daytona Speedweeks: What to know about the races and events leading up to 2024 Daytona 500
- Shots can be scary and painful for kids. One doctor has a plan to end needle phobia
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- 'You don't mess with Bob': How Kingsley Ben-Adir channeled Bob Marley for 'One Love' movie
- Usher, Goicoechea got marriage license days before Super Bowl halftime show. But have they used it?
- San Francisco Giants add veteran slugger Jorge Soler on 3-year, $42M deal
- Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
- Sally Field says 'Steel Magnolias' director was 'very hard' on Julia Roberts: 'It was awful'
Ranking
- Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
- Some foods and conditions cause stomach pain. Here's when to worry.
- Hallmark's When Calls the Heart galvanized an online community of millions, called Hearties
- Plush wars? Squishmallows toy maker and Build-A-Bear sue each other over ‘copycat’ accusations
- Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
- Movie Review: Dakota Johnson is fun enough, but ‘Madame Web’ is repetitive and messy
- Disneyland’s Mickey Mouse and Cinderella performers may unionize
- A widow opened herself up to new love. Instead, she was catfished for a million dollars.
Recommendation
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
Race to succeed George Santos in Congress reaches stormy climax in New York’s suburbs
Kentucky lawmakers advance proposed property tax freeze for older homeowners
T-Pain gets shoutout from Reba McEntire with Super Bowl look: 'Boots with the fur'
Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
Love (and 460 million flowers) are in the air for Valentine’s Day, but not without a Miami layover
Elderly Alaska man is first reported person to die of recently discovered Alaskapox virus
This Trailer for Millie Bobby Brown's Thriller Movie Will Satisfy Stranger Things Fans