Cristiano Ronaldo has been charged with improper conduct by the FA after he slapped a mobile phone out of the hand of a teenage fan after Manchester United’s defeat at Everton in April....CONTINUE READING
Ronaldo has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3 relating to improper and/or violent conduct following the incident.
A statement from United read: ‘We note the FA announcement in relation to Cristiano Ronaldo. We will be supporting the player in his response to the charge.
The FA charge follows an investigation by Merseyside Police which resulted in Ronaldo being cautioned last month after he was interviewed over allegations of assault and criminal damage.
Jake Harding, 14, tried to film Ronaldo on his phone as he limped off the pitch at Goodison Park following United’s 1-0 defeat.
RonaldoThe Portugal star angrily slapped the phone out of the boy’s grasp, leaving him with a bruised hand according to his mother Sarah Kelly.
Ronaldo apologised on social media and invited the boy to watch a game at Old Trafford as his guest. He wrote: ‘It’s never easy to deal with emotions in difficult moments such as the one we are facing.
‘Nevertheless, we always have to be respectful, patient and set the example for all the youngsters who love the beautiful game.
‘I would like to apologize 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.’
However, the boy rejected Ronaldo’s invitation and his mother also criticised United’s response to the incident.
