Cristiano Ronaldo. Image: Pexels
Cristiano Ronaldo faces match ban over mobile phone incident
Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo may be charged with a multiple-match ban following a mobile phone incident with an autistic fan.
Cristiano Ronaldo. Image: Pexels
It is reported that the Manchester United soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo may be slapped with a multiple-match ban following a mobile phone incident with an autistic fan, Jacob Harding.
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MOBILE INCIDENT LEFT AUTISTIC FAN ‘BRUISED AND IN SHOCK’
According to You Magazine, the autistic teenager from Merseyside in the UK was left traumatised after the mobile incident with soccer legend Cristiano Ronaldo, who may be charged with a multiple-match ban.
The publication reports that the 14-year-old tried to catch the Manchester United superstar’s attention as he headed back to the changing room at Goodison Park, following the Red Devils’ 1-0 defeat to Everton back in April.
Ronaldo reportedly lashed out and angrily slapped Harding’s phone out of his hand and the soccer star was charged by the British Football Association (FA) for breaching rule E3, which relates to improper or violent conduct.
The soccer legend, who had until early October to accept the charges, has now done so.
Video footage that leaked on social media also shows Ronaldo smashing the phone out of his hand.
Police have also confirmed that Ronaldo was “interviewed under caution about an allegation of assault and criminal damage” and he publicly apologised to the teen.
“It’s never easy to deal with emotions in difficult moments. Nevertheless, we always have to be respectful, and 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.”
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THE FAN’S MOM DOESN’T BUY CRISTIANO RONALDO’S APOLOGY
You Magazine adds that Jacob Harding’s mom Sarah Kelly doesn’t buy the soccer star’s apology as she reportedly received a call from him that left her in tears.
Kelly told Daily Mirror in August that Ronaldo vowed to fight any legal case she would bring against him.
“The phone rang again, and a man said, ‘Hello, this is Cristiano Ronaldo’. He asked me if I would like to come down and meet his family. He said, ‘I’m not a bad dad’. I said to him, ‘I never said you were a bad dad’. He said, ‘I had a terrible upbringing, I lost my dad’. I said to him, ‘Everybody has a sob story, Ronaldo, I lost my dad young, I’ve had cancer’.”
According to Kelly, the footballer was arrogant and never even offered to replace the phone and she’s more saddened about her son being “completely put off” from attending another football match.
Manchester United is reportedly supporting Ronaldo who is currently away with Portugal as they prepare for their upcoming Nations League.
“We note the FA announcement in relation to Cristiano Ronaldo. We will be supporting the player in his response to the charge.”
The star is expected to have a personal hearing where witnesses will be allowed to give evidence to support his calls that he should not be slapped with a multiple-match ban.
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