Al-Nassr’s first game after they signed Cristiano Ronaldo as a free agent has been called off, MySportDab reports.
The Saudi club took on Al-Ta’i in their first game after they unveiled Cristiano Ronaldo as their new player.
Cristiano Ronaldo was expected to feature in the game after a successful unveiling by the club, but it was later confirmed he will not feature due to a two-match ban he picked in the English Premier League while playing for Manchester United.
The two-match ban was his punishment for smacking a phone off the hand of Jacob Harding, a young Everton fan, after a Premier League between Manchester United and Everton in 2021.
After the fanfare and massive unveiling ritual by Al-Nassr, the club’s first match against Al-Ta’i at home was to be the first game Cristiano Ronaldo will watch as an Al-Nassr player.
Unfortunately, the game was forced to be called off due to an heavy downpour which disrupted play and forced the players to be evacuated off the pitch.
The Mrsool Park Stadium where Cristiano Ronaldo was unveiled as An-Nassr player was hit with an heavy rain.
The match has now been postponed till the next day with the club hoping the game will be picked up from where it ended.
Confirminh the inciden, Al Nassr tweeted;
“Due to heavy rain and weather conditions impacting the stadium’s electricity, we have been officially informed that tonight’s match against Al Ta’i is postponed for 24 hours.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused to fans and wish everyone safe travels.”
According to Daily Mail, Cristiano Ronaldo had only a 15 percent chance to feature in the game as a violation of the ban could have attract FIFA sanctions.
Despite the fact the ban was issued in England, it was to be adhered to strictly by Al-Nassr in order not to breach FIFA Rules.
A violation of the ban would have landed Cristiano Ronaldo in more trouble. However, there are reports Al-Nassr officials are studying Ronaldo’s international clearance certificate to pluck a possible loophole that could see them feature Ronaldo at least in one of the two first matches since he arrived.
