Saudi defender Ali Al Bulayhi is likely to face a one-match suspension following his trash-talking and confrontational antics against Al Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
Al Bulayhi, during the Al Nassr vs Al Hilal match at the Saudi Pro League football match last week, indulged in provocative behaviour against Ronaldo after the latter lamented the referee's unfair and biased attitude favouring Al Hilal.
His anti-Ronaldo rhetoric was followed by him confronting Ronaldo's teammate Alex Telles, who was sitting on the bench, and also teased Al Nassr fans.
As Al Hilal increased their lead 3-0 against Ronaldo's team, Al Bulayhi then went on to tease Al Nassr fans prompting referee Wilman Roldan to give a second yellow card to the 34-year-old player — essentially expelling the Al Hilal defender from the pitch.
Meanwhile, in light of Al Bulayhi's reckless attitude, the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the Saudi Football Federation is expected to suspend him for one match, essentiallysports reported quoting Al Riyadiya.
The Saudi player is likely to miss Al Hilal’s match against Al Tai on Friday.
Saudi football federation's action comes as Al-Bulaihi's carelessness against Ronaldo had already incited widespread fan wrath.
The Saudi defender is no stranger to confrontations on the pitch or trash-talking as he had also confronted Argentine star Lionel Messi at the 2022 World Cup.
During the mega-event Messi and Al Bulayhi got into a heated argument with the latter telling the Inter Miami star to respect the Saudi team or else they won't be able to win.
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