Cristiano Ronaldo was punished on Wednesday for making an obscene gesture at a jeering fan after a match against Al Nasr in the Saudi Professional League earlier in the week.
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) Disciplinary and Ethics Committee handed Ronaldo a one-match suspension. A video posted on social media shows Ronaldo waving near his crotch at fans shouting “Messi” at him.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Saudi Arabia’s Al Nasr Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the match against Iran’s Persepolis at Azadi Stadium in Tehran on September 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi), File)
This was after Al Nasr defeated Al Shabab 3-2. Ronaldo scored from a penalty kick in the first half.
The group said there was no appeal against the decision. According to the Associated Press, the soccer superstar will have to pay a fine of about $5,333 (20,000 Saudi riyals) to al-Shabab and half of that amount to the federation for the charges.
Ronaldo does not seem to have responded directly to the discipline.
“I can’t quit,” he wrote to X, along with a photo of himself working out.
Cristiano Ronaldo speaks at a press conference to officially unveil himself as a new member of Al Nasr Football Club on January 3, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil, File)
Former soccer star: EA Sports video game ‘distorts reality’ by giving women similar rankings to men
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner leads the league with 22 goals this season. Al Nasr are second in the standings after 21 matches. The club is four points behind Al Hilal.
Ronaldo joined Al Nasr in 2022 from Manchester United in one of the most expensive transfers in history. He reportedly signed a contract worth up to $200 million a year.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nasr before the Saudi Pro League match against Al Shabaab in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on February 25, 2024. (Yaser Baksh/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The club is also in contention to qualify for the Asian Champions League. The club will face Al Anin in the quarter-finals next month.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital X sports broadcast and subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
