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Cristiano Ronaldo called the obscene gesture that got him suspended from a match a “misunderstanding” and insisted he would never disrespect Saudi culture.
The Al-Nassr star, reacting to rival Al-Shabab fans chanting ‘Messi, Messi’ throughout the match, thrust his pelvis into the crowd after his team scored the late winning goal last month .
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) responded by handing the 39-year-old a one-match suspension and a fine of 30,000 Saudi riyals (£6,250).
Ronaldo missed his side’s 4-4 draw against Al-Hazm in the Saudi Pro League, but speaking this week, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker set the record straight.
‘What I did was a misunderstanding. I will always respect the cultures of all countries, but what people see is not always reality.
Cristiano Ronaldo was suspended for one match and fined after making an obscene gesture to celebrate Al-Nassr’s victory over Al-Shabab last month after being mocked by rival fans.
Ronaldo appeared to make an obscene gesture after Al-Nassr’s victory over Al-Shabab
Al-Shabab fans chanted the name of Ronaldo’s rival Lionel Messi (right) to mock him.
Ronaldo was criticized after grabbing his crotch in response to fans chanting ‘Messi, Messi’ when Al-Nassr played Al-Hilal last season.
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‘As I said and I will repeat, it is obvious that I will not do it again in this country, but in Europe it is very normal.
‘Sometimes the passion and emotion of the game lead us to make some mistakes.
‘Whenever I do them, I don’t do it on purpose. Every day I try to be a better man.’
The Portuguese star added: ‘What I can promise is that I am a player who gives everything on the field, a player with passion, a player who always wants to win.
“I am a player who does not like to see people doing unsportsmanlike things. I am happy to be in Saudi Arabia and happy to represent Al-Nassr.”
Ronaldo was criticized for similar actions during the 2-0 defeat to Al-Hilal in April last year, when he responded to more ‘Messi’ chants by grabbing his crotch.
Al-Nassr defended his actions at the time by saying that Ronaldo had “received a blow during the match” to his genitals.
Ronaldo endured another night to forget on Monday when he somehow missed the target from three meters as Al-Nassr crashed out of the AFC Champions League to Al-Ain.
Ronaldo inexplicably missed the target from just three meters with the goal open
The 39-year-old was stunned by his mistake and looked at the official hoping to see a flag raised.
Ronaldo could have put his team ahead that night and tied on aggregate in the AFC Champions League clash
Losing 1-0 to the Emirati team in the first leg of the quarterfinals, Al-Nassr conceded two goals in the first half, leaving them a mountain to climb.
However, they pulled off a surprising comeback by scoring three goals that took the game to extra time.
Sultan Al-Shamsi restored Al-Ain’s lead, but Ronaldo converted a penalty to take the match to a shootout, with Al-Nassr reduced to 10 men at the time.
But although Ronaldo converted his penalty in the shootout, three of his teammates, including former Manchester United defender Alex Telles, missed theirs and Al-Ain won 3-1 to reach the semi-finals.
It eliminates the chance of another trophy for Ronaldo this season, with Al-Nassr currently 12 points behind leaders Al-Hilal in the Pro League.
Ronaldo’s team was eliminated from the AFC Champions League after beating Al-Ain on penalties
