Due to an alleged disrespectful gesture made during a Saudi League game, Cristiano Ronaldo was banned for one game.

Cristiano Ronaldo has received a one-match suspension in the Saudi Pro League following an alleged offensive gesture during a game while representing Al Nassr. The incident occurred after Al-Nassr secured a 3-2 victory against Riyadh rival Al-Shabab on Sunday. Video footage emerged showing Ronaldo cupping his ear and repeatedly thrusting his hand forward near his pelvis, seemingly directed at Al-Shabab fans.

Background chants of "Messi," alluding to Ronaldo's long-standing soccer rival Lionel Messi, were audible during the incident. The Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the Saudi Arabia Football Federation (SAFF) announced the ban on social media early Thursday morning local time. Al-Nassr's upcoming league fixture against Al-Hazm will see Ronaldo sidelined. Additionally, the former Real Madrid and Manchester United star has been fined 20,000 Saudi Riyals ($5,333) payable to Al-Shabab, covering the club's complaint expenses, along with half of that amount to the federation.

The committee emphasized that the decision is final and not subject to appeal.

Although the incident wasn't captured by television cameras, Ronaldo's actions, including his first-half penalty goal in the game, received widespread criticism in Saudi Arabia from former players and commentators. According to reports in Saudi Arabian media, the 39-year-old explained to the committee that the gesture signified victory and is common in European football.

This isn't the first time Ronaldo has courted controversy since joining Al-Nassr. In April last year, following a match against Al-Hilal, Ronaldo was seen grabbing his genitals as fans chanted Messi's name. At that time, Al-Nassr attributed the gesture to a groin injury sustained during the match.

Ronaldo, who joined the Riyadh-based club in December 2022, currently leads the league with 22 goals. He netted the opener against Al Shabab, converting a first-half penalty.

Moreover, Al Nassr finds itself in the quarterfinals of the Asian Champions League, a tournament it has yet to claim victory in.