Portugal international Cristiano Ronaldo has been suspended for one game for making an offensive gesture towards opposing fans during the latest Saudi Football League match.
The suspension was announced on Wednesday evening in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, where Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nasr side beat Al Shabab 2-3 away on Sunday.
In a game counted as matchday 21, Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 20th minute and Belgian Yannick Carrasco equalized for Al Shabab at 45+8, also from the penalty spot.
Early in the second half, at 47, Portugal international Otavio crossed for Brazil’s Talisca to put Al Nasr ahead on the scoreboard, but the hosts responded again, this time through Canarian striker Carlos Junior.
The winning goal did not come until the 87th minute, again scored by Talisca to seal the victory for Al Nasr, a team coached by Portuguese coach Luis Castro.
Videos posted on social media showed the Portuguese striker covering his ear with one hand and repeatedly bringing the other to his genitals to fans of Al Shabab, coached by Portugal’s Vitor Pereira.
Judging by the video, at the moment when the 39-year-old Portuguese made the offensive gesture, the home fans were chanting “Messi”, referring to the Argentine football player Lionel Messi.
As such, Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to miss Al Nasr’s next match, scheduled for today, at home against Al Hazm, the team that finished last in the Saudi League.
Al Nasr are second with 52 points, seven points less than leaders Al Hilal, which has two Portuguese players in coach Jorge Jesus and midfielder Ruben Neves.
This season, Cristiano Ronaldo has already scored 21 goals in the 19 Saudi league matches he has played, adding another goal in the Saudi Cup, five in the Asian Champions League and 10 for Portugal, for a total of 37.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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