Cristiano Ronaldo has helped to carry Al Nassr towards a potentially famous final few weeks of the 2023/24 season.
The team from Riyadh are second in the Saudi Pro League and in the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League — a competition they have never won before — with Ronaldo in typically ruthless goalscoring form.
The 39-year-old is top of the goalscoring charts in Saudi Arabia's top division and has found the net in each of Al Nassr's competitive games in 2024, including the 3-2 derby win over Al Shabab on February 25.
However, an incident in that match has landed Ronaldo in hot water, and the Portugal star now finds himself facing a suspension.
The Sporting News looks at what happened during the game, whether Ronaldo is facing a ban, and what games he could miss.
MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo stats in 2023/24 for Al Nassr
Has Cristiano Ronaldo been suspended?
Reports circulated on February 26 suggesting that Ronaldo is facing a two-game ban in the Saudi Pro League.
The suggestion, as per such outlets as Sky News and The Daily Mail, is that Ronaldo could be hit with a suspension as part of an investigation by Saudi Arabia's football federation.
On February 29, The Athletic reported that Ronaldo had in fact only been given a one-match suspension, and a fine of 10,000 Saudi riyals ($2,666) payable to the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and a further fine of double that amount payable to Al Shabab. He also has to cover the costs of the complaint process.
Later that day, the PA news agency confirmed the news via a statement, which said: "The Disciplinary and Ethics Committee at the Saudi Arabian Football Federation has issued a one-match ban to Cristiano Ronaldo as well as a 10,000 Saudi Riyal fine to SAFF and 20,000 SAR fine payable to the opposition club Al Shabab FC for 'provoking fans' or 'inciting fans' as per Article 57 of the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee at the Saudi Arabian Football Federation."
What did Cristiano Ronaldo do?
Ronaldo was accused of making an obscene gesture towards Al Shabab fans during the first half of the league game on February 25.
The forward was being taunted by opposition fans, who were chanting "Messi, Messi" at him. This goading, in which supporters have attempted to mock or distract Ronaldo by singing the name of his long-time rival Lionel Messi, has been common since his move to Saudi Arabia in late 2022.
After the final whistle, Ronaldo went over to a section of the Al Shabab fans and was seen cupping his ear before rapidly moving his hand back and forth in front of his pelvis. The incident was not televised but mobile phone footage and photographs from inside the stadium were quickly shared on social media.
As per Sky News, Saudi Arabian newspaper Asharq al-Awsat later reported that the Saudi Arabian Football Federation was investigating the incident.
MORE: Al Nassr's fixture schedule in 2024: When can you watch Ronaldo in action?
What games will Ronaldo miss through suspension?
Ronaldo's one-match ban is expected to be served for their home league match against Al Hazm on February 29.
