Featured Image Credit: Getty and @Ali_alabdallh
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr, Saudi Pro League, Lionel Messi, Football, Saudi Arabia
Tom Jenkins
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr, Saudi Pro League, Lionel Messi, Football, Saudi Arabia
Cristiano Ronaldo has responded to being issued a one-match ban, as the Portugal captain was filmed watching from the stands during Al-Nassr's match vs Al Hazem.
Ronaldo's ban was confirmed early on Thursday, the ban comes following his last Saudi Pro League match against Al-Shabab.
Throughout the match, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star was taunted with chants of his long time rival, Lionel Messi's name by the fans.
In response to the chants, Ronaldo was seen gesturing towards the crowd, a moment that quickly went viral online.
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The Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the Saudi Arabia Football Federation has announced that Ronaldo will miss Al Nassr's next match and has been fined £4190.
Reportedly, half of the fine will be allocated to Al Shabab to cover the costs associated with lodging the initial complaint. The remaining half of the money will be directed to the Federation.
Ronaldo was spotted responding to fans chanting his name whilst he was serving his ban, with the 39-year-old raising his arm and fist pumping to his supporters.
Despite the decision to ban Ronaldo seeming rather harsh, the feeling in Saudi Arabia was very different as prominent journalist Waleed Al Farraj strongly believing Ronaldo should be punished.
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Al Farraj posted to social media: “The disciplinary committee is facing the biggest test.
“We will wait and see. Everything has its limits, no matter how famous you are. This is how the major leagues are.”