Cristiano Ronaldo Could Be Punished by Saudi Arabian Football Federation for Obscene Gestures

Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly in trouble with the authorities in Saudi Arabia after making obscene gestures during and after Al Nassr's win at Al-Shabab.
Cristiano Ronaldo Could Be Punished by Saudi Arabian Football Federation for Obscene Gestures
Cristiano Ronaldo Could Be Punished by Saudi Arabian Football Federation for Obscene Gestures /

Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly in trouble with the soccer authorities in Saudi Arabia after he appeared to make obscene gestures during and after Al Nassr's 3-2 win at Al-Shabab on Sunday.

Ronaldo scored for the ninth game running to put Al Nassr 1-0 up in the first half but it was his celebrations after Talisca's 86th-minute winner that caused offense.

The 39-year-old thrust his pelvis in the direction of the crowd multiple times while appearing to gesture towards his crotch with his hands.

He performed another hand gesture at full-time, seemingly aimed at the Al-Shabab fans who had taunted him with chants of "Messi, Messi" throughout the game.

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
Al Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo pictured aiming offensive gestures towards Al-Shabab fans on Sunday / X.com

Ronaldo performed a similar celebration in 2019 while playing for Juventus against Atletico Madrid. It resulted in him being charged with improper conduct by UEFA and hit with a €20,000 fine.

Another punishment - potentially a ban - could soon be incoming because, according to newspaper Asharq al-Awsat, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has opened an investigation.

Meanwhile, Waleed Al Farraj, one of Saudi Arabia's most prominent sports journalists, tweeted on Sunday evening: "The disciplinary committee is facing the biggest test. We will wait and see.

"Everything has its limits, no matter how famous you are. This is how the major leagues are."


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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.