The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has imposed a one-match ban on Cristiano Ronaldo and fined him 30,000 Saudi Riyals (£6,300) for his actions during celebrations on Sunday.
Following chants of “Messi” from the crowd, the Portuguese forward gestured with his hand towards his pelvic area after scoring in Al-Nassr’s 3-2 victory against Al-Shabab. SAFF considered this gesture as causing ‘public excitement’.
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Although the celebration was not captured in local broadcasts, a fan uploaded it on social media, prompting a complaint from Al-Shabab, as reported by Saudi news outlet Arriyadiyah.
The committee reviewed the footage and concluded that Ronaldo had violated Article 57-1 of the Disciplinary and Ethics Regulations.
The Article states: “Any person who causes public excitement by action, word, or gesture during any match shall be suspended for one match, and shall be punished with a fine of 10,000 riyals.”
The fine of 10,000 will be remitted to the SAFF, and Ronaldo has additionally been directed to remit another 20,000 to Al-Shabab to offset the expenses incurred in filing their complaint.
Ronaldo refuted any allegations of making a ‘disgraceful gesture’, yet Al-Nassr has decided not to contest the verdict and is gearing up for their forthcoming match without him.
Reports indicate that Ronaldo furnished the SAFF with a statement, wherein he defended his actions and drew parallels between his conduct in Saudi Arabia and how it would be perceived in Europe.
“I respect all clubs… and the movement in the shot expresses strength and victory, and is not disgraceful, and we have become accustomed to it in Europe, which is what I highlighted,” Ronaldo said.
The recipient of five Ballon d’Or awards, Ronaldo has encountered chants favoring Messi during matches in the past, although he hadn’t anticipated such reception in Saudi Arabia, where he has emerged as the league’s prominent figure.
Messi has ruined Ronaldo’s mental health????????pic.twitter.com/0fGxKNX5jJ
— J☔ (@Shadygize) February 25, 2024
Their longstanding rivalry has been the focal point of football for nearly two decades, with the Ballon d’Or accolade alternating between Messi and Ronaldo from 2008 to 2017.
While both athletes claimed five awards each during this dominant period, the streak was halted by Luka Modric, after which Messi secured three more awards.
Their captivating duels, showcased during their tenures at Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively, concluded when Ronaldo transferred to Juventus in 2018.
Ronaldo later returned to Manchester United in 2021, rejoining the club after a 13-year absence, although he departed after 18 months following a contentious exit.
Ronaldo spearheaded the migration to Saudi Arabia, paving the way for numerous players to follow suit from Europe to the Middle East.
While Messi was also presented with an enticing offer, he opted to decline and instead signed with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
Expressing his reluctance to depart Barcelona, Messi was compelled to leave due to the club’s financial predicament, spending two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain before departing as a free agent.
Upon his move to Miami, Messi openly acknowledged his dissatisfaction during his tenure with the French side.
