He may have received a two-match ban in September but Cristiano Ronaldo could still make his highly-anticipated debut for Al Nassr in their Saudi Pro League clash against Al-Ta'ee on Thursday, according to reports.
Ronaldo was charged with improper conduct by the FA last year after he appeared to slap a boy's phone out of his hand while heading down the tunnel at Old Trafford, following Manchester United's 1-0 defeat to Everton.
Sarah Kelly, the mother of the boy involved, said her 14-year-old son, Jake Harding, had been left "bruised" and "in complete shock" by the incident.
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The 37-year-old apologised for the "outburst" and invited the young supporter to watch another game at Old Trafford.
Ronaldo was later cautioned by police in August and charged with a breach of FA Rule E3. A statement from the FA read: "It is alleged that the forward's conduct after the final whistle was improper and/or violent."
He was handed a £50,000 fine and a two-game ban for the incident. But it appears he could 'defy' the Football Association and make his Al-Nassr debut on Thursday, risking further punishment as a result.
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The Daily Mail suggest the Saudi club are yet to confirm whether they would adhere to the ban which is backed by FIFA rules.
That being said, Ronaldo's international clearance certificate has been received by Al-Nassr and its executives were 'examining' whether it might help them 'circumnavigate the banning order.'
Al-Nassr are said to be 'desperate' for marquee signing Ronaldo to make his debut against Al-Ta'ee on Thursday.
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The five-time Ballon d’Or winner landed at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Monday ahead of his medical. He then attended his first press conference for the Saudi Arabian club on Tuesday.
The 37-year-old went on to participate in a number of training drills – and even produced a wonderful finish to send the Mrsool Park crowd wild.
So what will the standard be like in Saudi Arabia's top-flight? Well, in the coming weeks, Ronaldo will be playing in a league that is a worse standard than League One, according to a senior data scientist.
Aurel Nazmiu, who works for Twenty First Group, says that models have identified the Saudi Pro League being “better” than League Two, however.
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“Just to put into context the quality of the Saudi League -- our models rate it as worse than League One but better than League Two,” Nazmiu tweeted.
SPORTbible have reached out to the FA to confirm whether Ronaldo is banned from making his debut for Al Nassr.
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr, Saudi Pro League, Saudi Arabia
Jack Kenmare