Al-Nassr boss defends Ronaldo after red card

Cristiano Ronaldo has been defended after his red card for Al-Nassr against Al-Hilal on Monday night. 

The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus star was dismissed for elbowing opponent Ali Al-Bulaihi and the Portuguese forward subsequently raised his fist at the referee. 

Already cautioned in the game for protesting against the officials' decisions, Ronaldo received his marching orders for violent conduct, but his Al-Nassr manager Luis Castro claims Al-Hilal defender Al-Bulaihi playacted to get the Portugal international sent off. 

Speaking post-match, Castro said: "The decision was incorrect. The Al Hilal defender pretended that he was hit in the face, and it was a play on his part, and the contact was small, and they took advantage of Ronaldo’s provocation. The VAR referee was supposed to call the main referee, and this is my personal opinion."

Ronaldo's meltdown was perhaps unsurprising given Al-Hilal's record against Al-Nassr this season - CR7's side losing twice in the Saudi Pro League prior to their latest defeat in the Saudi Super Cup. Al-Nassr have managed to beat Jorge Jesus' side once this season: in the final of the Arab Club Champions Cup, a game in which Ronaldo scored a brace.