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20th April 2023
12:33pm BST
A lawyer has called for Cristiano Ronaldo to be thrown out of Saudi Arabia after he appeared to make a lewd gesture to fans following Al-Nassr's 2-0 defeat by Al-Hilal.
A video circulating on social media seemed to show the 38-year-old grabbing his crotch as he left the pitch on Tuesday in response to fans chanting the name of his main rival, Lionel Messi.
Lawyer Nouf bin Ahmed wrote Twitter that he would file a complaint to the Saudi Prosecutor's Office over Ronaldo's "crime of public indecency".
"It is considered a crime of public dishonour, and it is one of the crimes that entails arrest and deportation if committed by a foreigner," Ahmed wrote.
The former Manchester United star has also been slammed by journalists in Saudi Arabia, with Ozman Abu Bakr suggesting Al-Nassr should terminate his £175m-a-year contract for what he called an "immoral and impolite gesture against the spectators".
According to a report by Marca, Al-Nassr sources have defended Ronaldo, suggesting he grabbed his crotch after "receiving a blow during the match" to his genitals.
Footballer fans chanted "Messi! Messi! Messi! as a clearly annoyed Ronaldo left the pitch at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, having earlier caused controversy by bringing down an opponent in a chokehold.
As he headed for the tunnel, Ronaldo appeared to place his hand over his genital area and pull upwards, and then move it around. The Mail suggested the footballer also appeared to look upwards at chanting fans with a grin on his face.
The controversies came after Al-Nassr lost further ground in the title race with Tuesday's loss. They are now three points behind leaders Al-Ittihad having played a game more, and with Al-Shabab in third, three points behind them with a game in hand.
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