Cristiano Ronaldo banned and fined by Saudi Football Association for “provocative” gesture – News

A video has emerged showing the Portuguese repeatedly making “obscene” gestures towards the crowd, who taunt him by shouting Lionel Messi’s name

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Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr. Photo: Reuters

The Saudi Arabian Football Association banned Cristiano Ronaldo for one match on Thursday for making a gesture on the pitch last weekend that was deemed a “provocation.”

The Saudi Arabian Football Association said the Al Nassr captain and former Porto star was also fined a total of 30,000 riyals ($8,000) for his conduct, which violated the rules against provoking the crowd during a match.

There is no right of appeal against the decision.

Following his team’s 3-2 win over Al-Shabab, a video has emerged showing Ronaldo repeatedly making a jabbing motion towards his groin in response to the crowd jeering him and chanting the name of his long-time rival Lionel Messi.

The content quickly went viral and landed at the top of trending topics on Saudi social media.

Sports newspaper Al Riyadiya reported that Ronaldo said he respected all football clubs and that his gesture expressed “strength and victory” – not insult – and was considered acceptable in Europe.

The 39-year-old, a five-time UEFA Champions League winner, was the first major star to move to the Kingdom when he signed a contract with Al-Nassr in January 2023.

Saudi Pro League teams have gone on major spending sprees to lure big-name players, and the country is set to host the 2034 World Cup as part of its wider expansion into global sport.

Frenchman Karim Benzema, Brazilian star Neymar and Senegalese striker Sadio Mané have also left Europe to earn lavish salary packages in the conservative kingdom.