Ronaldo suspended for 1 game for gesture responding to ‘Messi’ chants

Towards the end of Al-Nassr’s 3-2 victory against Al-Shabab on Sunday, Ronaldo cupped his hand to his ear and made a crude gesture near his pelvic area in response to Al-Shabab fans who were chanting the name of his long-time rival, Argentina’s Lionel Messi, who currently plays for Inter Miami in the United States. Ronaldo was also fined 10,000 Saudi Riyals, while Al-Nassr must pay 20,000 Riyals to Al-Shabab to cover the costs of filing the complaint, the SFF said. Saudi daily Al-Riyadiya reported that Ronaldo’s reduced sanction came after the player argued in his defense that he respects all Saudi clubs and that the gesture was an expression of joy after his team’s victory. He insisted it was not obscene, as it has been interpreted in the very conservative and strictly Islamic-observant country.

Moreover, he said he was used to making similar celebrations in European stadiums throughout his stellar career. Many Saudis on X had denounced the gesture as “immoral”, “obscene” and “rude”. This is the third time Ronaldo has directed “obscene” gestures at fans; the first in the league in April after being booed following his team’s defeat to Al-Hilal. The second was earlier this month, after a fan threw a blue Al-Hilal scarf onto the pitch, which Ronaldo tucked into his shorts before throwing it back into the stands.

Walid Al Farraj, who hosts one of Saudi Arabia’s most famous TV sports programs, ‘Action Maa Walid’, went so far as to say on his show that Ronaldo has gone “beyond the limits” and that it is time to “make decisions” so that the affair does not damage the reputation of the Saudi League. “Those in charge of the Disciplinary Committee you face the most difficult test. We will wait and see, but everything has limits. It doesn’t matter how much of a star you are (referring to Cristiano). That’s how the big leagues are,” Al Farraj said. EFE hu-amr/ks