Cristiano Ronaldo allegedly made an offensive gesture during a game against Al Hilal recently and a Saudi lawyer has instigated his deportation.
The incident happened on Tuesday in Riyadh after fans heckled him by yelling Lionel Messi’s name, which caused him to appear to hold his crotch.
Such conduct is forbidden in Saudi Arabia and the former Real Madrid star could be in serious trouble if confirmed. The Saudi Prosecutor’s Office has received a complaint from attorney Nouf bin Ahmed alleging that Ronaldo committed “a crime of public indecency” and demanding his arrest and expulsion.
“It is considered a crime of public dishonour, and it is one of the crimes that entail arrest and deportation if committed by a foreigner,” said the lawyer specialising in International Law.
The incident has generated widespread coverage on Saudi Arabia’s most popular sports programme, “Action ya Dawri”.
According to Al Nassr sources, Mohamed al Anzi, an employee of the show, stated that the Portugal star made the gesture because he had been hit during the match.
However, other Saudi sports journalists were unimpressed and urged the Saudi Arabian Football Federation to cancel Ronaldo’s contract.
Cristiano Ronaldo Al Nassr debut
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal made his debut in the Saudi Pro League in January 2023, by guiding Al Nassr to a 1-0 victory over Ettifaq in his first game despite not scoring.
Talisca scored the game’s winning goal in the 31st minute when Abdulmajeed Al-Sulaiheem’s cross was too high for Ronaldo to reach. Ronaldo didn’t appear to mind as he turned around to join the Brazilian midfielder and the rest of his new colleagues in celebrating.
Al Nassr fans had to wait three weeks after the announcement of one of the most surprising transfers in football history to see their new hero in competitive action.
