CRISTIANO RONALDO is facing calls to be deported from Saudi Arabia for “public indecency” after grabbing his crotch at the end of a recent game.
The Portuguese forward appeared to make a gesture while leaving the field following his Al-Nassr side’s 2-0 defeat at Al-Hilal last week.
3Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed his crotch while leaving the fieldCredit: Twitter
3Ronaldo was frustrated after his side’s 2-0 defeat to Al-HilalCredit: AFP
Ronaldo, 38, faced chants of “Messi, Messi” from rival fans as he made his way back to the dressing room.
Following Ronaldo’s crotch grab, a Saudi lawyer took to Twitter to announce that she would be presenting a petition to the Public Ministry of Saudi Arabia demanding his deportation.
Prof Nouf bin Ahmed, who also works with the United Nations, wrote on social media: “I don’t follow sport. Even if the crowd provoked Ronaldo, he didn’t know how to react.
“Cristiano’s behaviour is a crime. An indecent public act, which is one of the crimes that allows for arrest and deportation if committed by a foreigner.
“We will present a petition to the Public Ministry regarding the issue.”
Other fans showed their displeasure on social media and the issue was discussed for hours on Saudi Arabia’s leading sports show Action ya Dawri.
But Al-Nassr insiders claimed that Ronaldo grabbed his crotch because he’d received a knock in that area during the match.
The Saudi club confirmed this in a subsequent statement, which read: “Ronaldo suffers from an injury.
“His challenge with Gustavo Cuellar, the Al-Hilal player, started with a blow in a very sensitive area.
“This is confirmed information. As for the fans’ explanations, they are free to think whatever they want.”
As per Spanish outlet El Desmarque, Saudi reporter Ozman Abu Bakr called Ronaldo’s action “an immoral and rude gesture against the spectators” – and called for his contract to be terminated.
The former Manchester United star signed a two-and-half year contract at Al-Nassr in December worth a reported £173million per year.
Ronaldo has scored 11 goals in 13 appearances for Al-Nassr, although his side trail Al-Ittihad by three points in the title race, with their opponents also possessing a game in hand.
3Ronaldo signed a lucrative contract at Al-Nassr in January.
Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to make an insulting gesture towards fans as he walked off the pitch on Tuesday night in a video released on social media.
Veteran forward Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes as his Al-Nassr side lost 2-0 against Al-Hilal.
The result saw Dinko Jelicic’s side concede further ground in the title race, with second-placed Al-Nassr now three points behind leaders Al-Ittihad having played a game more, and with Al-Shabab in third, three points behind them with a game in hand.
Superstar Ronaldo, 38, was furious as he stormed off the pitch – and footage online seems to show him grabbing his crotch in response to fans chanting the name of his rival Lionel Messi.
Supporters inside the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh sung ‘Messi! Messi! Messi!’ repeatedly in what was undoubtedly an attempt to taunt CR7. As he heads for the tunnel, the former Manchester United player appears to put his hand in his genital area and pull upwards.
Cristiano Ronaldo (above) appeared to make an obscene gesture towards rival fans
A video released on social media shows the veteran Portuguese forward appearing to grab his crotch after supporters chanted the name of his rival Lionel Messi after Al-Nassr’s 2-0 defeat
The clip shows Ronaldo seeming to hold his genital area after fans shouted: ‘Messi! Messi!’
The clip shows Ronaldo trudging off the field and past the media zone, before holding his crotch and moving it around.
While at the end of the video, he appears to look up towards the chanting fans with a grin on his face.
A second video on social media shows him doing the same thing just after crossing the touchline.
Earlier in the game, Ronaldo made headlines after bringing down an opponent in a chokehold.
Rather than let his feet do the talking, Ronaldo was instead booked just before the hour mark while his side were 1-0 down after making a challenge that resembled something more likely to be seen in a WWE ring.
The former Man United star leapt on to his opponent, wrapping his right arm around his neck before using his body weight to wrestle him to the ground.
Despite the rather overzealous conduct from the 38-year-old, he was only booked by former Premier League referee Michael Oliver, who was officiating the game.
This was despite there being no clear attempt to play the aerial ball above their heads as he made the challenge.
Ronaldo leapt up onto his opponent before seemingly wrapping his right arm around his neck
The forward then pulled back to wrestle him to the ground before picking up a yellow card
A frustrated Ronaldo was booked by Michael Oliver following the chokehold on Tuesday
Al-Nassr saw their title hopes take a significant blow as they lost 2-0 at league leaders Al-Hilal
With 15 minutes to go and his side 2-0 down, Ronaldo did eventually find the net after running onto a long ball before firing home, only to be controversially flagged offside.
Al-Nassr recently parted ways with manager Rudi Garcia amid reports of dressing room discontent, not least reportedly related to the Portuguese superstar.
He was replaced by former youth team coach Jelicic, who took over as interim boss. Needing a victory away at Al-Hilal to ensure they stayed in touch with the league leaders, they conceded twice from the penalty spot courtesy of Odion Ighalo.
The 198-cap Portugal international Ronaldo has scored 11 goals in 11 league games for Al-Nassr – 11 in 13 in all competitions – since joining on a massive three-year contract in December after his contract at Old Trafford was terminated.
Ronaldo’s representatives have been approached for comment.
source: dailymail.co.uk
