Police in Merseyside, the Liverpool region, announced on Sunday that they had opened an investigation after the Portuguese’s angry gesture towards an Everton fan on Saturday.
Cristiano Ronaldo under investigation after Manchester United’s defeat on Saturday at Everton (1-0). As he was leaving the field, the Mancunian striker – used to hiding his disappointment, even his anger, when he loses – had tapped a teenager’s hand as he left the field, dropping his phone. “We can confirm that we are in contact with Manchester United and Everton following reports of a possible assault during the game between Everton and Manchester United at Goodison Parksaid a police spokesperson. “An investigation is ongoing and police are working with Everton to analyze CCTV footage and are collecting all of the evidence to establish if a crime has been committed.“, continued the spokesperson. The FA will also look into the incident, she told online media The Athletic.
The mother of the 14-year-old boy, who has autism and dyspraxia, told the press that her son’s hand had a bruise and that the incident had left him “shocked“. As the teenager leaned near the entrance to the tunnel to film the Portuguese who came out of the field, “Ronaldo just walked by and in a really bad mood hit my son’s hand causing the phone to fall and he continued on his way.“, she told the Liverpool Echo. His son “is very disturbed by this and it totally put him off going back to see a game“, while it was the first he attended, she added. As of Saturday evening, CR7 had apologized on his Instagram account. “It is never easy to manage your emotions in difficult times such as the ones we are experiencing.“wrote the Portuguese, while the images of the incident circulated on the internet. “Nevertheless, we must always be respectful, patient and set an example for young people who love this beautiful sport. I would like to apologize for my outburst and if possible I would like to invite this supporter to come and watch a game at Old Trafford“, he added.