Cristiano Ronaldo has been suspended for one Saudi Pro League game and fined 10,000 Riyals for his obscene celebration during Al Nassr's 3-2 win over Al Shabab.
The suspension and fine slammed on Ronaldo was meted out by the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee of the Saudi Pro League.
Cristiano Ronaldo cupped his ears towards Al Shabab supporters, who had chanted “Messi, Messi” before making a gesture toward his crotch, perceived to be aimed at the home supporters.
Reports claim that the gesture of the former Real Madrid man was deemed as “immoral” in the highly-religious nation and that resulted in the punishment he has received.
Ronaldo has scored 34 goals in 25 games for the Knights of Najd this campaign and he is arguably the biggest footballer in the country.
However, that didn't exempt Cristiano Ronaldo from the punishment he has received.
Reports from Saudi Arabia indicate that the decision of the Disciplinary Committee was due to the footballer provoking fans of Al Shabab and not because he insulted them, which was initially widely reported.
The decision to suspend the Portuguese is also not subject to appeal and that means that Ronaldo will miss Al Nassr's next league game against Al Hazem on Thursday, February 29, 2024.
He should be available for a subsequent game on Monday, March 4, 2024, an Asian Champions League encounter against United Arab Emirates side Al-Ain.
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo also touched on the celebration before his suspension, saying:
“I respect all clubs. And the joy after the game expresses strength and victory, and it is not shameful. We are used to it in Europe.”
Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al Nassr on January 1, 2023, on a free transfer, following his rancorous exit from Manchester United.
He has been sublime since his move to the club, scoring 42 goals in 48 appearances across all competitions.
Ronaldo netted in the 21st minute of the encounter against Al Shabab before Yannick Carrasco equalized for the opposition deep into stoppage time of the first 45.
Anderson Talisca put Luis Castro's side ahead in the 46th minute, with Al Shabab netting an equalizer 7 minutes after the hour mark through Carlos.
Four minutes before the expiration of the encounter, Anderson Talisca scored the definitive goal of the game to decide the affair.
Anyway, Cristiano Ronaldo led Al Nassr to the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023, and he was an influential figure throughout the tournament, scoring 6 goals to finish the campaign as the top scorer of the competition.
His absence from Al Hazem is expected to be felt by the fans, but the Knights of Najd will likely do the job against the basement boys of the Saudi Pro League.
Sadio Mane, Talisca, Aymeric Laporte, Brozovic, and Alex Telles amongst others are expected to secure the win for the Pro League runner-up.
Al Nassr sit 2nd in the Saudi Pro League with 52 points from 21 league matches, 7 points behind Al Hilal, who sit at the summit of the log.
The suspension and fine slammed on Ronaldo was meted out by the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee of the Saudi Pro League.
Cristiano Ronaldo cupped his ears towards Al Shabab supporters, who had chanted “Messi, Messi” before making a gesture toward his crotch, perceived to be aimed at the home supporters.
Reports claim that the gesture of the former Real Madrid man was deemed as “immoral” in the highly-religious nation and that resulted in the punishment he has received.
Ronaldo has scored 34 goals in 25 games for the Knights of Najd this campaign and he is arguably the biggest footballer in the country.
However, that didn't exempt Cristiano Ronaldo from the punishment he has received.
Reports from Saudi Arabia indicate that the decision of the Disciplinary Committee was due to the footballer provoking fans of Al Shabab and not because he insulted them, which was initially widely reported.
The decision to suspend the Portuguese is also not subject to appeal and that means that Ronaldo will miss Al Nassr's next league game against Al Hazem on Thursday, February 29, 2024.
He should be available for a subsequent game on Monday, March 4, 2024, an Asian Champions League encounter against United Arab Emirates side Al-Ain.
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo also touched on the celebration before his suspension, saying:
“I respect all clubs. And the joy after the game expresses strength and victory, and it is not shameful. We are used to it in Europe.”
Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al Nassr on January 1, 2023, on a free transfer, following his rancorous exit from Manchester United.
He has been sublime since his move to the club, scoring 42 goals in 48 appearances across all competitions.
Ronaldo netted in the 21st minute of the encounter against Al Shabab before Yannick Carrasco equalized for the opposition deep into stoppage time of the first 45.
Anderson Talisca put Luis Castro's side ahead in the 46th minute, with Al Shabab netting an equalizer 7 minutes after the hour mark through Carlos.
Four minutes before the expiration of the encounter, Anderson Talisca scored the definitive goal of the game to decide the affair.
Anyway, Cristiano Ronaldo led Al Nassr to the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023, and he was an influential figure throughout the tournament, scoring 6 goals to finish the campaign as the top scorer of the competition.
His absence from Al Hazem is expected to be felt by the fans, but the Knights of Najd will likely do the job against the basement boys of the Saudi Pro League.
Sadio Mane, Talisca, Aymeric Laporte, Brozovic, and Alex Telles amongst others are expected to secure the win for the Pro League runner-up.
Al Nassr sit 2nd in the Saudi Pro League with 52 points from 21 league matches, 7 points behind Al Hilal, who sit at the summit of the log.