April 9 – Saudi League poster boy Cristiano Ronaldo is facing a match ban and significant fine after receiving an 86th minute red card while playing for Al Nassr against Al Hilal in the semi-final of the Saudi Super Cup.
The referee ruled the Al-Nassr star used excessive force after the 39-year-old unleashed an elbow on Ali Al-Bulaihi.
The theatrics continued even after play had stopped, as Ronaldo gestured as though he intended to throw a punch – or possibly strike the ball he held – towards the referee before refraining from doing so.
Already in a precarious situation, Ronaldo proceeded to sarcastically pat one of the match officials on the shoulder after receiving the straight red card.
Then, as he was leaving the pitch, the Portuguese veteran appeared to tell the crowd “all of you are witnessing this robbery”.
To make matters worse, the crowd jeered Ronaldo by chanting ‘Messi’ repeatedly – an act which has been known to rile him.
Al-Nassr were trailing 2-0 at that stage after goals from Salem Al-Dawsari and Malcom, with former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane pulling one back in stoppage time to make the final score 2-1.
It was a hot-headed ending to a frustrating night for both club and player as they were eliminated from the competition by the Saudi Pro League leaders, who just seem unbeatable at the moment.
Three-time winners Al-Hilal will play Al-Ittihad in the final on Thursday.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1734894276labto1734894276ofdlr1734894276owedi1734894276sni@g1734894276niwe.1734894276yrrah1734894276
