In a move aimed at putting an end to the speculation and rumors circulating, the Saudi Ministry of Sports issued a decisive clarification statement through its official spokesman, Mr. Adel Al-Zahrani, in which it categorically denied the validity of the statements attributed to the Minister of Sports, His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, regarding the developments related to Al-Nassr Club star, the Portuguese player Cristiano Ronaldo.
Official denial via official channels
Al-Zahrani confirmed via a post on his official “X” platform (formerly Twitter) that His Highness the Minister had not made any statements to any media outlet regarding this matter. His post read: “With reference to the statements attributed to His Highness the Minister of Sports that are being circulated, we would like to confirm that His Highness has not made any statement to any media outlet, as is being reported, and that any statement from His Highness will be issued through official channels.” This denial aims to dispel the false news that has spread in recent hours, which attributed opinions and comments to His Highness the Minister regarding the recent crisis experienced by the player.
Background of the event and general context
This clarification comes in the wake of the widespread controversy surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo after he was suspended for one match by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation's Disciplinary and Ethics Committee for gestures he made towards Al-Shabab fans during a Saudi Pro League match. The incident garnered significant media and public attention both locally and internationally, given Ronaldo's prominent status as one of the world's leading footballers and the most prominent figure in the Saudi Pro League at present.
The importance of the Saudi sports project
Such clarifications are of paramount importance given the historic transformation underway in Saudi Arabia's sports sector, as part of Vision 2030. Since Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in late 2022, the world's attention has turned to the Saudi Professional League, which has successfully attracted a constellation of the game's brightest stars. The Ministry of Sport is working diligently to establish a professional and institutional image for the sports sector, where transparency and accurate information are fundamental pillars in building trust with fans, international media, and investors. A firm stance against rumors aims to protect the reputation of the Saudi sports project and ensure its continued growth on a solid foundation.
Expected impact of the statement
This official denial is expected to calm the media frenzy and redirect the discussion toward credible sources. It also underscores that decisions and procedures concerning players and clubs are governed by the regulations of the relevant sports authorities, such as the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and its judicial committees, and are not subject to individual statements. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to full training with his team, preparing for upcoming matches, thus putting this crisis behind him and focusing on his career with Al-Nassr.
