Cristiano Ronaldo's Alleged X-Rated Gesture Spurs LFP President to Demand Action

LFP President Javier Tebas has suggested Cristiano Ronaldo should be punished after he was alleged to have "touched his balls" in a provocative manner toward referee Mateu Lahoz during Real Madrid's recent Clasico loss to Barcelona.

As reported by Sport and shown on Spanish television, Ronaldo is said to have touched his testicles before asking the official, "Do you like that?"

Tebas says that "we can't permit people to make gestures like these; we need to rid football of them," reported by Marca. "If Ronaldo touched his balls, he has to be punished."

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The Spanish league chief also added such an action is "intolerable," per Sport's article.

"So yes, we can act against it. We must. And I'm not only referring to Cristiano, but to any other player that does (similar actions or gestures)," he said.

Tebas previously suggested Ronaldo's "calm down" celebration, in which he appeared to tell the Camp Nou supporters to hush after scoring the equaliser, could also be punished.

"We have to be careful with provocative gestures by a player when he scores a goal or with any other provocation or conduct that could incite violence among spectators," said Tebas, as reported by Iain Rogers of Reuters (h/t Daily Mail). "It must be sanctioned, from a fine up to a suspension. We will look into it."

AS provided an image of this incident:

Madrid went on to lose 2-1, but the lasting legacy of the match could have a greater impact than the four-point gap that now separates Los Blancos from leaders Barca atop La Liga. Tebas and the LFP are working hard to crack down on violence within the Spanish game, something that could be hindered by provocative gestures from players.

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Ronaldo may potentially face two different suspensions, ruling him out for most of Madrid's final schedule. With only 10 domestic matches left, Carlo Ancelotti's team has no time for further setbacks if it is to have any chance of getting itself back into the title reckoning. Should Ronaldo's incidents be deemed serious enough, it's possible he will only have a couple of appearances left in him.

The Portuguese player has netted 31 La Liga goals this season, second only to Lionel Messi, who is one ahead. Any time on the sidelines will seriously hinder his ability to catch the Argentinian, and indeed, mark him as a secondary competitor in the early running for this year's Ballon d'Or.

Ronaldo hasn't been at his prolific best since being handed the prize in January, so a suspension would act as a further blow to his personal objectives.

Both he and team-mate Gareth Bale continue to be linked with a move to Manchester United, per the Daily Mail. B/R UK's Ryan Bailey and Thom Gibbs recently discussed who would be the better acquisition:

The LFP could certainly make an example of Ronaldo. Issuing a ban to one of the division's stars for two petty incidents would underline the body's commitment to making a difference.

The death of a Deportivo La Coruna fan after violent clashes outside Atletico Madrid's Vicente Calderon in November, reported by The Guardian, simply cannot be repeated. Ensuring top stars remain 100 percent accountable is perhaps a simple method of showing zero tolerance.

It remains to be seen exactly how, or if, Ronaldo will be punished. Tebas has made his feelings clear on both incidents and suggests the LFP will act soon.

For Madrid, any kind of suspension could signal an end to their hopes of grabbing this year's title.