Ronaldo Plays Fair, Turns Down Penalty

By: Gyang Dakwo

In a rare display of sportsmanship on the field of play, Al-Nassr forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, turned down a penalty awarded him.

Al-Nassr said Ronaldo “showed a great deal of sportsmanship” after he urged the referee in Monday’s Asian Champions League game against Persepolis to reverse a penalty decision given in his favour.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward went down under Sorous Rafiei’s challenge early in the Group E tie in Riyadh, prompting the referee to point to the penalty spot.

Persepolis players protested the decision immediately and were joined by Ronaldo, who told the official the tackle was not worthy of a penalty. The forward began wagging his finger to indicate Al-Nassr should not have been given a penalty.

The referee reviewed the incident on a pitchside monitor and rescinded the decision.

The match ended in a 0-0 draw, with the point securing top spot in Group E and a place in the knockout rounds for the Saudi Pro League side.