UEFA look the other way over Cristiano's touchline antics
More than a reasonable amount of time has passed, and the UEFA Discipline Committee have chosen to overlook what Cristiano Ronaldo did in Euro 2016 final – actions which were worthy of sanction for both him and his national side. We all remember how, in the Champions League 2014 final in Lisbon, Xabi Alonso was given a one match ban for skipping and running down the touchline to hug Sergio Ramos when he scored the equaliser.
Completely prohibited actions
In the final in Paris, Cristiano got up from his seat on the bench on numerous occasions and started barking instructions to his teammates from both inside and outside the technical area, standing at the same time next to the Portugal coach – actions which are completely prohibited. What’s more, he also left the technical area to complain to the fourth official and, worst of all, run down the touchline to grab hold of his teammate, Guerreiro, who was recovering from an injury, and push him back on the field of play without authorisation from the referee.
Sets a bad precedent
All of this accumulates to sanctionable behaviour by any committee and for UEFA – who haven’t punished the player – to not act is very strange and sets a bad precedent for those who follow. The English referee (Clattenburg) has his part of the blame, let’s not forget it. In any respect, it’s lamentable that UEFA look the other way when it suits them, in this case, during the Euro 2016 final.