AP Photo / Antonio Calanni
- Cristiano Ronaldo has been charged with improper conduct by UEFA after his crotch-grabbing celebration in a Champions League match last week.
- The second-leg tie between Juventus and Atletico Madrid saw Ronaldo bring the Italian side back from the brink of defeat via a stunning hattrick.
- After scoring, Ronaldo was seen thrusting his hips forward and grabbing his crotch, a gesture that was likely mocking the Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone.
- Simeone celebrated in the same way after his club’s victory in the first leg — a move that saw him fined £17,000 ($22,600).
- UEFA will rule on Ronaldo’s improper conduct case on March 21.
Cristiano Ronaldo single-handedly brought Juventus back from the brink of defeat in a stunning Champions League win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday last week.
The soccer star wrenched the Italian side back from a 2-0 deficit via a masterful hattrick, sending his team into the quarterfinals where they will face Dutch side Ajax.
Naturally, Ronaldo was keen to celebrate his goals — especially after the media scrutiny he faced in the build-up to the game. But the way in which he did so has not sat well with the Champions League organisers, UEFA, who have charged the player with improper conduct.
Read more: 5 charts that show how truly awful Cristiano Ronaldo has been in the Champions League this year
After scoring, Ronaldo was seen thrusting his hips forward and grabbing his crotch, a gesture that was likely a mocking nod to the Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone who celebrated in the same manner after his club’s win in the first leg.
Simeone was fined £17,000 ($22,600) for the "obscene" gesture, and later apologized.
Simeone explained to Sky Sports: "It means we have balls, a lot of balls. To start (Diego) Costa and Koke after they hadn’t played for a month takes balls.
"I did it as a player at Lazio and Bologna and I did it again to show our fans that we have ‘cojones.’
"It wasn’t aimed at the other team, I was turning towards our own supporters. It’s not a nice gesture, I’ll admit, but I felt the need to do it.
"It was such a tough game, we fought so hard and Diego Costa worked really hard when he wasn’t 100% fit.
"I had to show what I was feeling. I can only apologise if anyone was offended, but I did it from the heart."
UEFA will rule on Ronaldo’s improper conduct case on March 21.
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See Also:
- Cristiano Ronaldo’s heroic hat trick doesn’t change the fact that his game remains in long-term decline
- The Champions League bracket is officially set and offers some potential dream matches leading into the final
- 2 goals, 2 assists, and a defender on the floor: How Messi one-upped Ronaldo during an elite week of Champions League soccer
Source: Business Insider – feedback@businessinsider.com (Tom Murray)