Cristiano Ronaldo seemed to be enjoying himself during his presentation with new club Al Nassr, as he casts off on a fresh adventure in his life.
After saying goodbye to European football, perhaps permanently, it was revealed that his former agent Jorge Mendes had also bid him farewell in the past month.
Ronaldo will embark on his new adventure alongside his children and partner Georgina Rodriguez, which has raised some questions in his new home country.
The Portuguese and Rodriguez are not yet married, and in the Kingdom it is illegal for a man and a woman to live under the same roof without being so. Yet there has been no suggestion that that will not be the case.
Sport have referenced a report from EFE, which features the professional opinion of two Saudi Arabian lawyers on the matter.
“Although the laws still prohibit cohabitation without a marriage contract, the authorities have begun to turn a blind eye and do not persecute anyone. Of course, these laws are used when there is a problem or a crime.”
This view was backed up by the second lawyer, who was not named.
“The Saudi Arabian authorities, today, do not interfere in this matter [in the case of foreigners], but the law continues to prohibit cohabitation outside of marriage.”
It appears that Ronaldo’s infringement is set to be overlooked, and it is hard to imagine a world where this does cause any issues for Ronaldo, given his profile. The cynical view might be to say that based on the testimony of the lawyers, there is one rule for those with money and another for those without it.
Ronaldo Banned from Debut for Al-Nassr Tonight
Cristiano Ronaldo has been banned from making his much-vaunted debut for his Saudi Arabian side tonight, according to Mail Online.
His new club Al Nassr, who are reportedly paying him £175 million a year, have sold all 28,000 seats for the match against Al Ta’ee and were set to see him kick-off his Arabian venture amid huge fanfare.
Ronaldo was hit with a £50,000 fine and suspended for two games by the England Football Association on November 17th.
While the investigation was ongoing last month, it was reported that Ronaldo would accept an improper conduct charge from the FA, but was determined to fight the threat of a potential ban.
Ronaldo had hoped to avoid a ban but the winter World Cup meant Premier League football was put on hold.
United played Fulham on November 13th and resumed first team action post Qatar on 21st December against Burnley in the EFL Cup.
Ronaldo, the source said, had not been available for two first team competitive matches as his contract with United had been torn up.
The ban carries onto his next club and effectively bars Al Nassr from parading its new star striker until it has played two competitive matches that he would have been available for.
Article 12.1 of FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players says: ‘Any disciplinary sanction of up to four matches or up to three months that has been imposed on a player by the former association but not yet (entirely) served by the time of the transfer shall be enforced by the new association at which the player has been registered in order for the sanction to be served at domestic level.’
SOURCE: football-espana.net, thisdaylive.com
