Cristiano Ronaldo has been handed a one-match suspension by the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the Saudi Football Federation (SAFF) for an apparent obscene gesture made after Al Nassr’s 3-2 victory over Al Shabab on Sunday.
Social media videos captured Ronaldo cupping his ear and making repeated hand gestures in front of his pelvic area after the final whistle, seemingly directed at rival Al Shabab supporters. Background chants of “Messi” referred to Ronaldo’s longstanding football rival from Argentina.
The committee imposed a fine of 10,000 Saudi riyals ($2,666) to the Saudi Football Federation and an additional 20,000 riyals to Al-Shabab to cover the costs of the complaint filing fees. The decision is deemed final and not subject to appeal.
This incident follows a similar gesture by Ronaldo in April last year, where he appeared to grab his genitals after a league game against Al Hilal, which Al Nassr lost 2-0.