Cristiano Ronaldo Fined, Handed Premier League Ban

Cristiano Ronaldo has been banned for two matches and fined £50,000 for hitting a mobile phone out of a teenage fan’s hand at Everton, the Football Association said Wednesday.

Ronaldo, now a free agent following his release by Manchester United on Tuesday, was involved in a flare-up with a 14-year-old boy following the Red Devils 1-0 loss away to Everton in the Premier League at Goodison Park on April 9. He was cautioned by Merseyside Police, while the FA also charged the Portugal forward with improper conduct. Now an independent panel has handed down a suspension and a fine.

The ban will be transferred when Ronaldo joins a new club in any country but does not apply in the ongoing World Cup in Qatar

The 37-year-old forward, who is set to play in Portugal’s World Cup opener against Ghana on Thursday, has also been cautioned by Merseyside Police.

Ronaldo did issue an apology via his own social media channels for what he described as an ‘outburst’ and invited the young fan who owned the phone to watch a game at Old Trafford ‘as a sign of fair play and sportsmanship.’

Ronaldo wrote on his Instagram: “It’s never easy to deal with emotions in difficult moments such as the one we are facing. Nevertheless, we always have to be respectful, patient and set an example for all the youngsters who love the beautiful game.

“I would like to apologise for my outburst and, if possible, I would like to invite this supporter to watch a game at Old Trafford as a sign of fair-play and sportsmanship.”

Mother of the 14-year-old supporter Sarah Kelly has refused to accept Ronaldo’s apology for thealtercation.

“The forward admitted that his conduct after the final whistle of the Premier League game between Manchester United FC and Everton FC on Saturday 9 April 2022 was improper. “An independent regulatory commission found that his conduct was both improper and violent during a subsequent hearing, and imposed these sanctions.” Ronaldo requested a personal hearing in a bid to avoid a suspension.

During the hearing, held via Microsoft Teams on November 8, Ronaldo said he had “legitimate concern… for his own physical safety and well-being and leaving the field of play” after approaching the tunnel where Everton fans were gathering. The panel, however, said Ronaldo’s conduct was an “act born of frustration and annoyance rather than fear or concern for his wellbeing”, but they also rejected the FA’s bid to have him banned for three games.