Saudi Football Association takes decision on punishing Ronaldo amid call for player’s deportation

Saudi Football Association has officially issued a decision regarding Cristiano Ronaldo’s alleged indecent gesture in Al-Nassr’s loss to Al-Hilal.

 

Ronaldo was said to have disrespected Al-Hilal fans during Al-Nassr’s defeat on Tuesday.

 

The Portuguese legend was said to have indecently grabbed his crotch in front of opposition fans as a way of getting back to them for constantly booing and mocking him during the game.

 

The former Manchester United star’s gesture was considered obscene by many and sparked a controversy.

 

But Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation did not see any reason to punish the 38-year-old who was provoked by the fans with chants of Lionel Messi.

 

In their ruling, the Committee fined Al-Nassr the sum 15,000 riyals but not becuase of Ronaldo but due to the delay in their players’ arrival on the pitch at the beginning of the second half.

 

GOAL reports that the committee did not punish Ronaldo for his alleged indecent gesture.

 

The Committee did not depend on video clips circulating on social media to reach its decision not to penalize Ronaldo but depended on official television footage.

 

This has ignited further debate surrounding the committee’s methods and the role of technology in football officiating.