Cristiano Ronaldo has been hit with a £50,000 fine and a two-match ban by the FA after smashing a fan’s phone earlier this year.
Ronaldo seemed to slap Jacob Harding’s hand as he went down the tunnel in April, shattering the boy’s phone soon after Manchester United’s defeat to Everton at Goodison Park.
Ronaldo apologized on his Instagram feed for his behavior.
‘It’s never easy dealing with emotions in terrible situations like the one we’re in,’ he wrote.
‘However, we must always be respectful, patient, and set a good example for all the young people who adore the beautiful game.’
‘I apologize for my reaction and, if possible, ask this supporter to witness a game at Old Trafford as a demonstration of fair play and sportsmanship.’
The 37-year-old was interviewed by police in relation to alleged assault and criminal damage and received a caution for his behaviour.
Ronaldo also looked to apologise to Harding in person, but the mother of the 14-year-old autistic boy Sarah Kelly refused, leading to a 10-minute phone call, with Kelly later branding the superstar as ‘arrogant’.
‘He asked me if I would like to come down and meet his family,’ she told The Mirror. He said, “I’m not a bad dad”. I said to him, “I never said you were a bad dad”.
‘He said, “I had a terrible upbringing, I lost my dad”. I said to him, “Everybody has a sob story Ronaldo, I lost my dad young, I’ve had cancer”.
‘He kept calling me Jack and didn’t even know my name and I said, “My name is Sarah” and he said, “Oh, Sarah, I’m sorry”.
‘He never referred to Jacob by his name either, it was always “the boy”. “I know the boy’s got problems”, he said. I told him, “He hasn’t got a problem, he has a disability, you’re the one with the problem”.
Sarah described Ronaldo as the ‘most arrogant man I’ve ever spoken to’ and feels that he has ‘got away with it’.
The FA have now concluded their investigation, and handed Ronaldo a hefty fine as well as a suspension, as reported by The Mirror.
It remains unclear whether he will dispute the punishment handed down.
