Cristiano Ronaldo will not face punishment for his controversial gesture during his last match for Al-Nassr, as Portugal forward was captured holding his manhood.
The Portuguese star’s performance was marred by a WWE-style tackle on a rival and taunts from the crowd aimed at Lionel Messi.
Ronaldo’s response, which saw him grab his crotch in the direction of his tormentors, drew widespread condemnation in the Middle East, with calls for him to be expelled from the Saudi Pro League.
Ronaldo's reaction in today's game when the opponent's fans were chanting Messi's name ?pic.twitter.com/5GNOQREnCA
— Jan (@FutbolJan10) April 18, 2023
However, the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the Saudi Football Association has ruled that no further action is necessary, and Ronaldo has escaped punishment.
The only penalty imposed by the committee is a non-appealable fine of 15,000 riyals (nearly $4,000) to Al-Nassr due to their late arrival on the pitch for the second half.
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The team claim that Ronaldo’s gesture was a reaction to an injury he suffered in the groin area during a challenge with Gustavo Cuellar of Al-Hilal.