Milan: UEFA opened Monday an investigation into Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal celebration after scoring a hat-trick in Juventus’ Champions League comeback win against Atletico Madrid last week.
European football’s governing body said Ronaldo was facing charges of ‘improper conduct’ after he mimicked Diego Simeone’s crotch-grabbing ‘cojones’ gesture in last Tuesday’s 3-0 win which sent Juventus through 3-2 on aggregate. A decision will be taken March 21 by UEFA on this issue.
After scoring the decisive penalty four minutes from time, Ronaldo turned towards the Atletico fans and replicated Simeone’s gesture after the Spaniards’ 2-0 first leg win by grasping his genitals and thrusting out his groin.
Juventus take on Dutch club Ajax in the Champions League quarterfinals over two legs, April 10 in Amsterdam and April 16 in Turin.
Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri has said he is confident Ronaldo will not be fined or suspended. “I think everyone celebrated their own way on the field and in the stands. I saw nothing strange, just a celebration. There won’t be a ban,” said Allegri.
Simeone was fined 20,000 euros (USD 22,000) by UEFA for his gesture. “He (Ronaldo) will have seen how I did it at the Wanda Metropolitano (in Madrid) and, like me, was trying to show his character,” said the Argentinian coach of Atletico. “I really did not mind anything. It is part of the game,” he added.
Five-time Champions League winner Ronaldo is the record goal-scorer in the European competition with 124 goals in 160 matches.
AFP