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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Richard Fay

Cristiano Ronaldo banned and fined after Manchester United mobile phone incident

Cristiano Ronaldo has been handed a two-game suspension and fined £50,000 by the Football Association for knocking a fan’s mobile phone to the ground last season.

The 37-year-old, who saw his Manchester United contract terminated this week, has been charged with ‘improper and/or violent’ conduct by the FA following the incident at Everton last April.

Ronaldo subsequently apologised on social media and accepted a police caution after he smashed a young fan's phone as he walked off the pitch at Goodison Park.

Read more: United open to signing forward to offset Ronaldo exit

Merseyside police confirmed they had concluded their investigation on August 17 after they interviewed Ronaldo in relation to an allegation of assault and criminal damage.

However, following an FA investigation, the Portuguese forward has now been handed a hefty fine as well as a two-game ban should he play in English competition again.

An FA statement said: "Cristiano Ronaldo has been suspended for two matches, fined £50,000 and warned as to his future conduct for a breach of FA Rule E3.

"The forward admitted that his conduct after the final whistle of the Premier League game between Manchester United FC and Everton FC on Saturday 9 April 2022 was improper.

"An independent Regulatory Commission found that his conduct was both improper and violent during a subsequent hearing, and imposed these sanctions."

United had initially offered to defend Ronaldo if he had been threatened with a multi-match ban for his actions, but since burning his bridges with the club it is no longer in their interest to offer such support.

After the incident, Ronaldo took to Instagram to apologise for his actions. He said: “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 apologise 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.”

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