Saudi Arabia's football governing body has suspended Cristiano Ronaldo for one game and fined him $8,000 for a gesture deemed provocative during a recent match. The decision, which cannot be appealed, came after Ronaldo made a thrusting gesture towards his groin in response to taunts from the crowd chanting the name of his rival, Lionel Messi, during Al-Nassr's 3-2 win against Al-Shabab.

Ronaldo, who captains Al-Nassr and joined the team in January 2023, defended his actions, stating that the gesture symbolized strength and victory rather than offense, a norm he claimed was acceptable in Europe.

The 39-year-old's move to Saudi Arabia marked a significant shift for the country's football landscape, which has seen an influx of big-name players like Karim Benzema, Neymar, and Sadio Mane, drawn by lucrative contracts offered by Saudi Pro League teams.

While Saudi Arabia aims to bolster its international reputation through sports, particularly as it prepares to host the 2034 World Cup, critics accuse the kingdom of "sportswashing" to divert attention from human rights and environmental concerns.