Cristiano Ronaldo Faces Possible Ban After Controversial Gesture In Al Nassr Vs Al Hilal

‎Cristiano Ronaldo was back on the scoresheet, moving one step closer to his dream of reaching 1,000 career goals.

‎Yet once again, his strike came on a night overshadowed by disappointment. Al Nassr suffered a 3–1 defeat to rivals Al Hilal, a result that added to a worrying start to the year and widened the gap at the top of the Saudi Pro League table.

‎Ronaldo’s goal was a bright moment, but not the talking point that dominated the aftermath.

‎What stole the headlines was not what Ronaldo did with the ball but what he did with his hands.

‎A Gesture That Raised Red Flags

‎During the January 12 fixture, Ronaldo was seen making gestures toward the referee that appeared to suggest Al Nassr were being “robbed.”

‎The moment went viral on social media and quickly caught the attention of officials. Under the Saudi Arabian Football Federation’s Disciplinary and Ethics Code, the act can be considered offensive conduct or behavior that harms the integrity of match officials.

‎It also aligns with FIFA’s wider definitions of disrespect toward the referees.

‎As a result, Ronaldo now faces a potential disciplinary review that could have a significant impact not only on him but on Al Nassr’s season.

‎The Possible Sanction Ahead

‎Incidents of this type in the Saudi league are usually evaluated under articles relating to insults or disgraceful conduct aimed at referees.

‎The potential punishment ranges from a two- to four-match ban, along with a financial fine that could reach up to 40,000 Saudi riyals. If the harshest decision is applied, Ronaldo would be ruled out of four important January fixtures against Al Shabab, Damac, Al Taawoun, and Al-Kholood.

‎For a team already struggling to maintain pace in the title race, missing their most influential player at this stage would only make the challenge tougher.

‎A Growing List of Controversies

‎This latest incident becomes part of a pattern that has followed Ronaldo throughout his time in Saudi Arabia.

‎In February 2024, he received a one-match suspension for making an obscene gesture toward Al Shabab fans. Two months later, he was given a two-match ban after being sent off against Al Hilal in the Super Cup, with the referee citing disgraceful conduct.

‎Even in 2023, he faced criticism for gestures toward opposition supporters, though he avoided major punishment in that case.

‎These repeated flashes of frustration have created an ongoing debate about Ronaldo’s emotional reactions and the pressures of performing under constant scrutiny.

‎Ronaldo continues to score at a remarkable rate, proving that age has not dulled his instinct for goals.

‎Yet his time in Saudi Arabia has also been marked by moments of tension and disciplinary complications.