The Saudi Federation suspended Ronaldo for one match and fined him 30,000 riyals (Reuters)
The Disciplinary Committee of the Saudi Football Federation decided to suspend Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo, Al-Nasr striker, for one match, and fined him 30,000 Saudi riyals ($8,000).
The Saudi Federation indicated - in an official statement yesterday, Wednesday - that Al-Shabab Club’s complaint against Ronaldo was accepted after it was proven that the Portuguese star violated Article No. (1-57) of the Disciplinary Committee’s regulations.
The statement added that it was decided to suspend Ronaldo for one match in all official competitions in which he is entitled to participate, with the player required to pay a fine of 10,000 riyals to the treasury of the Saudi Football Association.
The penalty decision also includes obligating the Portuguese star to pay 20,000 Saudi riyals to Al-Shabab Club, representing the costs of the complaint filing fees.
The statement stressed that this punishment is not subject to appeal or appeal in accordance with Article 144 of the Discipline and Ethics Regulations.
About Ronaldo's shot
Muhammad Al-Sheikh: I am afraid that I will be suspended if I criticize the player 🫣.. The move cannot be justified. Even the European Union punished Ronaldo when he made a similar move against Atletico Madrid #Action_with_Walid #Al-Nasr_Al-Shabab #Disciplinary_and_Ethics_Committee
Now showing for free on Shahid https://t.co/cnvhxxTLc8 pic.twitter.com/lt933ITrZH
- Action with Waleed (@ActionMa3Waleed) February 25, 2024
Ronaldo celebrated with an insulting gesture towards Al-Shabab fans after Al-Nasr won 3-2.
Saudi media reports revealed that Ronaldo attended the hearing - yesterday, Wednesday - and denied making any immoral move.
Ronaldo said - at the hearing - that "the movement you made expresses strength and victory, and is not disgraceful and we are accustomed to it in Europe."
Al-Nasr’s 3-2 victory over Al-Shabab, last Sunday evening, in the 21st round of the Roshen Professional League, witnessed Ronaldo making an inappropriate move, in response to the provocations he was subjected to by Al-Shabab fans.
Voices rose in Saudi sports circles calling for the need to punish Ronaldo, especially since it is not the first time he has committed such acts.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Cristiano Ronaldo (@cristiano)
This is the second incident for Al-Don in a few days after he “went out of script” with disgraceful behavior also in his team’s match against Al-Hilal in the Riyadh Season Cup, in response to Al-Zaeem’s fans who threw the Blue Club’s scarves at him while he was leaving the stadium.
Video clips spread across social media of the 39-year-old Portuguese international making an inappropriate gesture while celebrating his team’s victory over Al-Shabab. It appears that “The Don” was provoked after Al-Shabab fans repeatedly chanted the name of his traditional rival, “Messi,” in the stands.
Saudi media reports confirmed that this inappropriate reference was not shown on television, but the video clips spread across the Internet and sparked very angry reactions.
Source: Agencies