Cristiano Ronaldo could defy the FA ban on him and make his debut for Al-Nassr tonight and risk further punishment from football chiefs.
The 37-year-old striker, who stands to make more than £400 million during his two-and-a-half year contract with the Saudi club, is at the centre of intense last-minute discussions.
Al-Nassr, his new club, are desperate for him to begin his Arabian adventures tonight at home against Al Ta’ee at Mrsool Park.
Cristiano Ronaldo could defy the FA ban on him and make his debut for Al Nassr tonight
Ronaldo is yet to serve the two-match ban he was given by the England Football Association in November for slapping a phone out of the hand of an Everton fan during a game last season
But his ‘petulant’ behaviour during Manchester United’s match against Everton during which he slapped the phone from the hand of a 14-year-old autistic boy, landed him with a £50,000 fine and a two-match ban.
The ban applies to two competitive matches, but they still have to be served as Ronaldo’s contract with Manchester United was torn up before the World Cup with the veto applying to any new club he joined.
Al-Nassr, with only hours to go before tonight’s kick-off, had still not confirmed it would adhere and accept the ban which is backed by FIFA rules.
Ronaldo’s international clearance certificate, however, was said to have been received by the club and its executives were examining whether it might help them circumnavigate the banning order.
Despite his suspension, Ronaldo could ignore it and line up for Al-Nassr for the first time
The former Manchester United star put pen to paper on a lucrative deal with the Saudi club
But lining up for his Al-Nassr debut amid the ban would likely land Ronaldo in further hot water
A source threw fresh doubt on whether Ronaldo would be side-lined by stating: ‘He is 85 per cent certain not to play the first match over the Everton issue.’
But with no categorical denial that the ban might be flouted, it was believed Al-Nassr were still hoping he would pull on its yellow shirt tonight and make his debut in the Saudi Pro League in front of a sell-out crowd.
If the ban is ignored, however, it could land Ronaldo in further hot water and the club with a huge fine.
Although super-rich Al-Nassr club may not blink at a fine, avoiding the ban could have further ramifications later for the self-proclaimed ‘unique’ star.
