Cristiano Ronaldo Banned for One Saudi Pro League Game After Obscene Gestures Towards Fans Who Teased Him With Lionel Messi Chants

Cristiano Ronaldo has been banned for one game in Saudi Arabia after aiming obscene gestures at Al-Shabab fans who taunted him with chants of "Messi, Messi".
Cristiano Ronaldo Banned for One Saudi Pro League Game After Obscene Gestures Towards Fans Who Teased Him With Lionel Messi Chants
Cristiano Ronaldo Banned for One Saudi Pro League Game After Obscene Gestures Towards Fans Who Teased Him With Lionel Messi Chants /

Cristiano Ronaldo has been hit with a one-game ban by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation following his conduct during and after Al Nassr's 3-2 win over Al-Shabab last week.

The 39-year-old was taunted throughout the game by thousands of Al-Shabab fans chanting the name of his long-term rival Lionel Messi.

Ronaldo reacted after Talisca's 86th-minute winning goal by thrusting his pelvis in the direction of the crowd multiple times while gesturing towards his crotch with his hands.

The former Real Madrid forward then performed another offensive hand gesture at full-time, while also cupping his ear.

Cristiano Ronaldo pictured aiming offensive gestures towards Al-Shabab fans after Al Nassr's 3-2 win in the Saudi Pro League in February 2024
Cristiano Ronaldo's offensive gestures towards Al-Shabab fans have resulted in a one-game ban / X.com

Footage of the incidents was later reviewed by a disciplinary committee.

Ronaldo's one-game suspension cannot be appealed, meaning he will serve it immediately and miss Thursday's Saudi Pro League home match against Al-Hazm.

He must also pay two fines - 10,000 Saudi riyals ($2,666) to the Saudi Football Federation, plus 20,000 riyals to Al-Shabab to cover the costs of the complaint-filing fees.

Ronaldo has scored 22 goals in 20 Saudi Pro League appearances this season.

His Al Nassr side currently sit seven points behind leaders Al-Hilal with 13 rounds of fixtures remaining.


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Robert Summerscales
ROBERT SUMMERSCALES

Robert Summerscales launched FanNation Futbol in February 2022. Rob is a British journalist who previously spent two years on the sports desk at the Daily Mail in London, having earlier served as editor of CaughtOffside.com. He has been to the last two FIFA Men's World Cups, in Russia and Qatar, and is looking forward to completing his hat-trick in North America in 2026.