Sports
Cristiano Ronaldo Banned, Fined, In Saudi Arabia Over Immoral Celebration
Saudi Pro League has suspended Al Nassr forward, Cristiano Ronaldo for inappropriate celebration during a league game against Al Shabab on Sunday, February 25.
During the league game between Al Nassr and Al Shabab at the Al Shabab FC Stadium, the fans of the home side chanted the name of Cristiano Ronaldo’s career rival, Lionel Messi severally to irritate the Portuguese star.
The 39-year-old Portuguese football icon had to deal with the chant until the 21st minute when he scored the match opener from the penalty spot.
While celebrating the goal, Cristiano Ronaldo used his hands to make a cup shape around his ears before he made a gesture in the direction of his crotch towards the home fans.
Cristaino Ronaldo’s “immoral” celebration in Saudi Arabia.
Al Nassr went on to win the game 3-2 thanks to two second-half goals from Anderson Talisca for Ronaldo’s team. But the Portuguese icon wasn’t let loose over his inappropriate celebration which was deemed immoral by most critics in the country.
In his reaction to the celebration which was deemed “immoral” by the highly conservative country, Ronaldo stressed that the celebration wasn’t shameful.
“I respect all clubs. And the joy after the game expresses strength and victory, and it is not shameful. We are used to it in Europe”, the five-time UEFA Champions League winner said.
Despite his explanation, the Saudi Pro League went on to slam a one-match ban and a 10,000 Riyals fine on Ronaldo through the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee of the league.
This means that the former Manchester United player will be absent when Al Nassr takes on Al-Hazm at 6 p.m. today, February 29.
Note that Ronaldo has scored 34 goals in 25 games in all competitions so far this season. His effort has helped Al Nassr to remain second on the league table with 52 points in 21 games, 7 points below first-place, Al-Hilal.
Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili made a spectacular debut at the Paris 2024 Olympics, delivering an impressive performance in the women’s 200m event.
After a disappointing setback in the women’s 100m, Ofili showcased her resilience by clinching victory in her heat with a new season’s best time of 22.24 seconds on Sunday, August 4. The victory has qualified her for the 2024 Olympics 200m women’s semi-finals which will take place this evening.
Argentine football icon, Lionel Messi, has stressed that he doesn’t care how much movement he makes in a game as people continue to take note of his walking technique.
In recent times, videos of Lionel Messi practically walking while his team are off the ball have kept many football enthusiasts talking. Many believe that it is a technique to prevent being injured, some say he does that because other players are doing the hard work for him.
But in an interview with Clank Media, Lionel Messi who turned 37-year-old earlier today, June 24, 2024, said not running when he is off the ball has been a part of his game from his days at his boyhood club, Newell, in his native country, Argentina.
“When I was at Newell’s, there were two or three times a week we were sent to run around the grounds. I used to hide behind a tree. Running without a ball was never my thing. Heh”, Lionel Messi said.
“I have always been very self-critical. I am the first to know what I do right and what I do wrong. When I walk, I analyse the opponent’s positioning, how we stand when we don’t have the ball, get away from the marker and be able to initiate a counterattack.
“I don’t pay much attention to GPS, statistics or data. I never cared how much I ran in a match.”
Note that Lionel Messi had used his walking technique while off the ball to win virtually everything in world football including 10 La Liga titles, four Champions League, one FIFA World Cup, and a record 8 Ballon d’Or.
In just two matchdays in the ongoing European Championship (Euro 2024), three countries have secured their place in the tournament’s round of 16.
Interestingly, the Three Lions of England and France, seen as the Super favourites to win the Euro 2024, will have to wait until the last day of the group stage to confirm their place.
Earlier today, June 22, 2024, Portugal’s national team, ably led by five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo, defeated Turkey 3-0 to book themselves a place in the round of 16.
Goals from Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, and an own goal from Samet Akaydin made all the difference.
Ronaldo provided an assist for Portugal’s third goal, which was his 7th in the history of the tournament, and the all-time highest in the European Championship.
Recall that Portugal defeated the Czech Republic 2-1 in their opening game in Group F. Hence, the Portuguese side now have 6 points in two games.
Whether or not they beat Georgia in their last group stage game on Wednesday, June 26, the Portuguese side will play in the round of 16. However, they need to win the game to ensure they finish top of Group F.
Other two teams that have already booked themselves a place in the Euro 2024 round of 16 with a game in hand are the hosts, Germany, and Spain.
Germany are topping Group A with 6 points in 2 games, while Spain are topping Group B with 6 points in two games.
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