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Bench Drama for Ronaldo: Could a Riyadh Derby Cost Him a Suspension?

13 January 2026

Bench Drama for Ronaldo: Could a Riyadh Derby Cost Him a Suspension?
Ronaldo during the Riyadh derby bench moment.

Overview

Will the derby sideline the Portuguese star?

A match official warned Ronaldo could face punishment after Riyadh derby between Al Nassr and Al Hilal.

Nassr were defeated 3-1 by Hilal, at Kingdom Arena, on Monday, in round 15 of the Roshn Saudi Pro League.

Ronaldo exchanged a baffling gesture from the substitutes' bench after his teammate's third goal from a penalty, the second awarded to the 'Giant' in the game.

Discipline expert Abdullah Al Qahtani explained on the show "Our Game Is Different" that if the disciplinary panel finds a poor explanation for the gesture, they will request a statement from the club.

According to him, the goal is to gather Ronaldo's meaning behind the motion, and then the authorities decide what to do, especially when the broadcaster catches the moment.

In short, accountability will depend on how the incident is interpreted within the country where it happened, unless Ronaldo concedes another explanation.

Until then, fans can enjoy bench-cam drama and snacks; Ronaldo's timing is questionable, and my popcorn.

Author

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Emma Amme

I am Emma Amme, an English sports journalist born in 1998. Passionate about astronomy, contemporary dance, and handcrafted woodworking, I share my sensitive view of sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

What sparked the potential suspension?

A gesture Ronaldo made from the substitutes’ bench after a goal, which the disciplinary committee will review.

What was the match result?

Al Nassr lost 3-1 to Al Hilal at the Kingdom Arena in round 15 of the Roshn Saudi Pro League.

Who commented on the situation?

Saudi refereeing expert Abdullah Al Qahtani explained the process used by the disciplinary panel and what they seek from the club.