Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo will reportedly accept the FA’s improper conduct charge for slapping the phone out of the hand of a teenage fan, but will contest any potential ban.
The Portuguese forward was charged with a breach of FA Rule E3, following an incident after Manchester United’s loss against Everton at Goodison Park in April.
Fourteen-year-old Everton supporter Jake Harding filmed Ronaldo as he left the pitch and the 37-year-old slapped the phone from his hand, leaving him with a bruise according to his mother Sarah Kelly.
An apology on social media and an invitation to a match at Old Trafford as the special guest of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was rejected.
The Daily Mail reports that whilst Erik Ten Hag had said that the forward would contest the charge at his press conference for Thursday’s Europa League match with Omonia Nicosia, he has now accepted the charge but will fight any potential ban that comes his way.
A FA disciplinary panel will convene to decide the punishment, with mitigating factors such as the apology and invitation to a game offered by United. – Reuters
