Following his team's victory over Al-Shabab in the Saudi Pro League on Sunday, Al-Nassr striker Cristiano Ronaldo has been suspended for one match and fined SR10,000 ($2,666) for making an offensive gesture. The Saudi Arabian Football Federation's Ethics and Discipline Committee also mandated Ronaldo to pay an additional SR20,000 to Al-Shabab to cover the Riyadh club's complaint filing fees.
After the match, videos circulated on social media showing Ronaldo cupping his ear and repeatedly thrusting his hand forward near his pelvis, seemingly directed at rival Al-Shabab supporters. Background chants of "Messi" were audible, alluding to Ronaldo's long-standing football rival from Argentina.
The committee summoned the five-time Ballon d'Or winner to address the complaint filed by Al-Shabab and requested footage of the incident from the official broadcaster. Their decision is final and cannot be appealed.
This incident isn't the first time the Portuguese legend has been involved in fan controversy. Earlier this month, he was seen placing a scarf down his shorts and tossing it back at Al-Hilal fans following Al-Nassr's loss in the Riyadh Season Cup. During the same match, Ronaldo reacted vehemently to Al-Hilal fans chanting Lionel Messi's name. Additionally, last year, the 39-year-old forward gestured towards his crotch after Al-Hilal fans taunted him with references to the Argentine World Cup winner.