Cristiano Ronaldo scores and his team wins 3-2 – but a gesture after the final whistle causes a lot of criticism and a stir in Saudi Arabia. The superstar is banned.
Soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has been suspended for one game after a gesture that was perceived as obscene. The Saudi Arabian Football Association announced this on Wednesday. Ronaldo’s gesture caused great excitement and criticism in Saudi Arabia.
In videos circulating online, the 39-year-old Portuguese appeared to be gesticulating towards opposing fans and making hand movements in his lumbar area after his team Al-Nassr’s 3-2 win against Al-Shabab on Sunday. Beforehand, he had briefly put his hand to his ear. In the videos, shouts of “Messi” can be heard from the stands. Lionel Messi is Ronaldo’s long-time rival, especially when it comes to awards for individual achievements.
According to media reports, the scene was not shown on TV, but videos of it quickly circulated on the Internet and caused outraged reactions. The Saudi football association SAFF then launched an investigation.