Cristiano Ronaldo’s after Manchester United’s 1-0 defeat to Everton soured what had already been a poor showing by the players on the pitch. The Portuguese is the subject of an investigation by the Football Association and the Merseyside Police.
Video footage taken from the scene showed the 37-year-old smashing the boy’s smartphone out of his hand as he attempted to capture the Manchester United man walking back into the tunnel.
Cristiano has apologized for his actions since and even invited the child to watch a game at Old Trafford.
Nevertheless, the player remains under investigation, as confirmed through a statement by the Merseyside Police. It read as follows:
“As players were leaving the pitch at 2.30 pm, it was reported that a boy was assaulted by one of the away team as they left the pitch.
“Inquiries are underway and officers are currently working with Everton to review CCTV footage and are carrying out extensive witness enquiries to establish if an offence has taken place.”
The boy’s mother, Sarah Kelly, spoke about the incident to the Liverpool Echo. She claimed that Ronaldo, pacing in a temper, slapped the phone out of her child’s hand – even though it was pointed downwards and not in his path – and walked inside.
“I’d understand if Jake was waving it in his face but he wasn’t near his face, it was down by the floor checking his injury. He’s an autistic boy and he’s been assaulted by a football player, that’s how I see it as a mum,”
she said.
While the investigation continues in the background, Ralf Rangnick’s men will resume their quest to finish in one of the top four spots in the Premier League. The Red Devils take on bottom-placed Norwich City at home next, in the league, before facing daunting away trips to Liverpool and Arsenal.
As it stands, they are 7th in the league, behind West Ham on goal difference, but with a game in hand.
