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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>All-time great in Saudi Pro League action</li><li>Responded to jibes from the crowd</li><li>Investigation opened by disciplinary committee</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Will Cristiano Ronaldo be banned for crude response to Lionel Messi taunts? Saudi football federation launches investigation into Al-Nassr superstar's obscene gesture

Saudi Pro League

Al Nassr FC

Al Hilal

Al-Taawoun

Al Shabab

The Portuguese superstar was among the goals once again in a 3-2 Saudi Pro League victory over Al-Shabab on Sunday. During that contest, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner responded to those in the stands <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-focused-job-ahead-more-lionel-messi-taunts-angry-reaction-al-nassr-defeat/blt4b5b8f17cc3092fd" target="_blank">bellowing the name of eternal rival Lionel Messi in his direction</a>.

WHAT HAPPENED?

A <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/al-nassr-cristiano-ronaldo-reacts-more-lionel-messi-chants-al-shabab-obscene-gesture/blt90dfeaaf81747fdb" target="_blank">video has emerged of Ronaldo gesturing towards those in the crowd</a> after converting from the penalty spot against Al-Shabab – <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/no-stopping-34-goal-cristiano-ronaldo-ominous-warning-rivals-portuguese-superstar-al-nassr-trophy-hunt/bltdba0ecc9d62bd2da" target="_blank">his 34th goal of the season</a>. With many young supporters in attendance, authorities in the Middle East have been urged to take action.<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/WKj2jIrTk4">pic.twitter.com/WKj2jIrTk4</a>— @TrollFootball Videos (@TF_Video) <a href="https://twitter.com/TF_Video/status/1761841942411767956?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
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THE BIGGER PICTURE

Al-Nassr are understandably keen to defend their talismanic captain against any wrongdoing, but the Saudi football federation's Disciplinary and Ethics Committee has opened a case and will study all of the evidence available before making a decision on what happens next.

DID YOU KNOW?

According to the <a href="https://aawsat.com/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B6%D8%A9/%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B6%D8%A9-%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A9/4877071-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B6%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%AD-%D8%AA%D8%AD%D9%82%D9%8A%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%8B-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%A9-%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%88-%D8%BA%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%AE%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%A9%C2%A0 " target="_blank">Al-Sharq Al-Awsat</a> newspaper, who cite sources within the committee, a ruling will be made in the next 48 hours. They are eager to act quickly and decisively, with many Saudis left disappointed and angry at Ronaldo’s alleged antics.

TELL ME MORE

CR7 may face a ban if he is found guilty of an offence, which would rule him out of crucial fixtures in an ongoing bid to rein in Al-Hilal at the top of the Saudi Pro League table. If he is let off the hook, then the five-time Ballon d’Or winner will be back in action against Al-Hazm on Thursday.

WHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO?

Will Cristiano Ronaldo be banned for crude response to Lionel Messi taunts? Saudi football federation launches investigation into Al-Nassr superstar's obscene gesture | Goal.com UK

An investigation has been opened into Cristiano Ronaldo’s supposedly crude response to more “Messi’ taunts while in action for Al-Nassr.

Will Cristiano Ronaldo be banned for crude response to Lionel Messi taunts? Saudi football federation launches investigation into Al-Nassr superstar&apos;s obscene gesture

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