Home/Soccer

Hours from now, Al Nassr will play Al Hazm in a Saudi Pro League tie, but without their attacking leader and captain Cristiano Ronaldo. The league has suspended the skipper for making an NSFW gesture during the Al Nassr-Al Shabab match. Infuriated by the Lionel Messi chants during the game, Ronaldo went berserk on the crowd, making an obscene and shocking gesture with his hands. Though CR7 will be absent against Al Hazm, the Al Nassr faithful now reportedly plans to make their presence felt during the match.

Per reports, Al Nassr’s fan council announced that they will chant Cristiano Ronaldo’s name in the seventh minute of the Al Hazm game. This is probably in response to the decision to suspend the team’s MVP. Al Nassr plays Al Hazm at the Al Awwal Park Stadium. Hence, if things go as planned, Al Hazm will have to survive the hellfire created by a raucous bunch of Al Nassr fans.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Before the Saudi League’s disciplinary committee gave its verdict on Cristiano Ronaldo, it asked him to give his view on the fiasco. “I respect all clubs. And the joy after the [game] expresses strength and victory, and it is not shameful. We are used to it in Europe,” Ronaldo said, without diving deeper into his obscene gesture. While the 39-year-old does not seem least worried about his gesture, it has cost the player more than just a one-match suspension.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Two fines demanded from Cristiano Ronaldo for his NSFW gesture

In addition to the ban against Al Hazm, Cristiano Ronaldo will reportedly have to pay $2,666 to the Saudi Federation for the discipline breach. Furthermore, the Al Nassr skipper is also ordered to pay $5,322 to Al Shabab. This sum covers the cost Al Shabab bore to file a complaint against Ronaldo. Besides, they’ve also stated that CR7 won’t be allowed to appeal against the penalties.

READ MORE: Rejecting Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr, Kevin De Bruyne Opens Possibility of Retiring in the MLS

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Anyhow, Al Nassr could still outplay Al Hazm in Ronaldo’s absence. Al Nassr is second in the league table, whereas Al Hazm is the last seed. However, from an individual standpoint, the 39-year-old will miss another chance to amp up his already stellar goal tally. After missing the Al Hazm tie, CR7 will return to action in Al Nassr’s AFC Champions League quarter-final against Al-Ain on March 04. He will make a Saudi League return on March 07 to play Al Raeed.

READ MORE: Ex Barcelona Star ‘Feels Sorry’ for Cristiano Ronaldo’s Inability to Move On from Lionel Messi Rivalry