Cristiano Ronaldo banned by Saudi FA after vulgar response to Leo Messi chants
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has banned Cristiano Ronaldo for one match and fined him 30,000 Saudi Riyals (£6,300) for his celebrations on Sunday.
After chants of "Messi" were heard in the crowd, the Portuguese striker pumped his hand forward in front of his pelvic area after scoring in Al-Nassr's 3-2 win away against Al-Shabab. This was deemed by the SAFF to have caused 'public excitement by gesture'.
The celebration wasn't captured on local broadcasts but was uploaded onto social media by a fan, which led to a complaint by Al-Shabab, according to Saudi news outlet Arriyadiyah. The footage was presented to the committee who stated that Ronaldo violated Article 57-1 of the Disciplinary and Ethics Regulations.
The Article states: "Any person who causes public excitement by action, word, or gesture during any match shall be suspended for one match, and shall be punished with a fine of 10,000 riyals." The 10,000 fine will be paid to the SAFF, and Ronaldo has also been ordered to pay another 20,000 to Al-Shabab to cover the cost of filing their complaint.
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Ronaldo denied performing any 'disgraceful gesture', but Al-Nassr will not appeal the ruling and prepare for their upcoming match without him. It's reported that Ronaldo provided the SAFF with a statement where he argued his case and compared his actions in Saudi Arabia with how it would be received in Europe.
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"I respect all clubs... and the movement in the shot expresses strength and victory, and is not disgraceful, and we have become accustomed to it in Europe, which is what I highlighted," Ronaldo said. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has experienced pro-Messi chants during matches before, but wasn't expecting it in Saudi Arabia where he has become the face of the league.
Their rivalry has dominated football for nearly two decades, with the Ballon D'Or award being handed to either Messi or Ronaldo between 2008-2017. Both players had received five awards at the end of that dominant era before Luka Modric broke the streak, but Messi has gone on to win three more awards since.
Ronaldo caused 'public excitement by gesture' according to the SAFF (NOT_MOTD/X)
Ronaldo was also ordered to pay a total of 30,000 Riyals (NOT_MOTD/X)They faced off in thrilling matches when playing for Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively, but that came to an end when Ronaldo moved to Juventus in 2018. The Portuguese star then re-signed for Manchester United in 2021 after spending 13 years away from the club, although he forced his way out after 18 months.
He then started the Saudi movement, breaking down the barrier before many players followed him from Europe to the Middle East. Messi also had a bumper contract offered to him, but he turned it down and instead chose to join Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
Messi has made it clear that he never wanted to leave Barcelona, but was forced out due to their financial troubles and spent two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain. At the end of his tenure he left as a free agent, and upon signing for Miami admitted that he was unhappy playing for the French giants.
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