Cristiano Ronaldo a Serial Offender with 'Robbery' Gesture, Says Gerard Pique
Barcelona centre-back Gerard Pique doesn't believe Cristiano Ronaldo will be punished for his alleged "robbery" gesture during Real Madrid's win over Rayo Vallecano.
As he celebrated scoring the match's opening goal, Ronaldo made the controversial hand movements in response to being wrongly booked for what the referee adjudged to have been a dive inside the box. Pique highlighted how CR7 has performed the action before without being sanctioned by Spain's Professional Football League (LFP).
Ronaldo is the type of player who makes his feelings known, according to Pique, whose comments were reported by Luis F. Rojo of Marca:
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"It was in the heat of the moment. That's the way he is and sometimes he expresses himself and reacts like that. It's not the first time he's made that gesture. He's never been punished for it before and I don't think he will be now. It's not my problem anyway.
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Marca provided video evidence of Ronaldo using the gesture during previous moments of frustration. An image of all three can be seen below:
The first occurrence came when he walked through Barcelona's El Prat airport in 2011 after Madrid were knocked out of the Champions League. Ronaldo is said to have been irritated by Gonzalo Higuain's disallowed goal that evening.
The second incident took place during Madrid's 1-1 draw away at Villarreal in 2012, during which he was also said to have vocalised his annoyance after the final whistle.
Similar troubles have become frequent this season, with Ronaldo potentially being reprimanded for his "calm down" celebration during March's Clasico. He is also said to have "touched his balls" in a provocative manner toward referee Mateu Lahoz during the loss, reported by Marca.
After the Camp Nou goal celebration, LFP president Javier Tebas suggested Ronaldo could be punished for riling the crowd.
"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."
Ronaldo could be suspended for the upcoming fixture with Eibar for his accumulation of yellow cards, but Madrid have appealed the caution he picked up for his alleged dive on Wednesday, reported by Marca. Tebas' previous comments indicate the Portugal international could yet face a more serious sanction.
Madrid are currently four points behind Primera Liga leaders Barcelona and can't afford to lose Ronaldo. He drove the team to victory against Rayo, providing the moment of inspiration needed to keep on the Blaugrana's back.
Pique's comments perhaps heap pressure onto the LFP. Tebas' assertions are yet to come to fruition, despite numerous examples of the provocative gestures he speaks of. Ronaldo is challenging the organisation's ruthlessness and appears happy to do so until he is punished.
