Cristiano Ronaldo has branded the obscene gesture that saw him banned from a match as a “misunderstanding” as he insisted he would never disrespect Saudi culture.
The Al-Nassr star responded to rival Al-Shabab fans chanting ‘Messi, Messi’ throughout the match and thrust his pelvis towards the crowd after his side scored a late winner last month.
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) responded by handing the 39-year-old a one-match ban and a fine of 30,000 Saudi riyals (£6,250).
Ronaldo missed his team’s 4-4 draw with Al-Hazm in the Saudi Pro League, but 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 a match and fined after making an obscene gesture to celebrate Al-Nassr’s victory over Al-Shabab last month after rival fans mocked him
Ronaldo appeared to make an obscene gesture after Al-Nassr’s victory over Al-Shabab
Al-Shabab fans had chanted the name of Ronaldo’s rival Lionel Messi (right) to taunt 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 say it again: it is clear that I will not do it again in this country, but in Europe it is very normal.
“Sometimes the passion and excitement of the game causes us to make mistakes.
‘When I make them, I don’t do it on purpose. Every day I try to be a better person.’
The Portuguese star added: ‘What I can promise is that I am a player who gives everything on the pitch, a player with passion, a player who always wants to win.
‘I’m a player who doesn’t like to see people doing unsportsmanlike things. I am happy to be in Saudi Arabia and to represent Al-Nassr.”
Ronaldo was criticized for similar actions during a 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, saying Ronaldo had ‘received a blow’ to his genitals during the match.
Ronaldo had to endure another night to forget on Monday when he somehow missed the target from three yards out as Al-Nassr crashed out of the AFC Champions League against Al-Ain.
Ronaldo inexplicably missed the target from just three yards out, with the goal gaping
The 39-year-old was stunned by his miss and looked at the official hoping to see a raised flag
Ronaldo could have put his side ahead that evening and leveled in their AFC Champions League match
Trailing the Emirates 1-0 from the first leg of the quarter-final tie, Al-Nassr conceded twice in the first half, leaving themselves a mountain to climb.
However, they made an astonishing comeback by scoring three goals, sending the match to extra time.
Sultan Al-Shamsi restored Al-Ain’s advantage, but Ronaldo converted a penalty to turn the match into a shoot-out, with Al-Nassr down to 10 men at this point.
But although Ronaldo converted his penalty in the shoot-out, three of his teammates – including ex-Man United defender Alex Telles – missed theirs as Al-Ain won 3-1 to reach the last four.
It destroys Ronaldo’s chance of another trophy this season, with Al-Nassr currently 12 points behind leaders Al-Hilal in the Pro League.
Ronaldo’s side crashed out of the AFC Champions League when Al-Ain defeated them on penalties