Sky Sports pundit hits out at ‘totally wrong’ Cristiano Ronaldo over Everton incident
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week the former Toffees captain will be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
Cristiano Ronaldo was “totally wrong” and “should know better” after the incident with an Everton fan at Goodison Park according to Kevin Campbell.
The Manchester United star had to apologise after appearing to slap a phone from a young Toffees supporter’s hand on his way down the tunnel.
Merseyside Police and the FA are both conducting inquiries over what the fan’s mother alleged was an “assault” and Sky Sports pundit Campbell believes it is lucky the situation was not worse.
“There’s no excuse for it,” he said speaking exclusively to Goodison News.
“The emotions on the pitch is one thing. When you’re coming off the pitch you just don’t do that sort of thing, whether you’re getting heckled, people are taking photos or whatever, you know, you don’t do that.
“That’s wrong. That’s totally wrong, and he should know better.
“He’s been in hostile environments before. Goodison is a hostile environment. He’s played all over the world.
“And for him to do that, of course he’s upset and he’s cheesed off, but to slap a fan’s phone out of their hand and smash it or do whatever [is not on].
“Yeah he’s come out and apologised but come on, you don’t want to see that.
“That could have got ugly, and that could have got ugly real fast.
“I just think Ronaldo needs to keep his emotions in check.”
Anthony Gordon’s winner and an injured leg contributed to a frustrating afternoon for the Portuguese forward, but it didn’t excuse lashing out at a young fan.
Negative attention is rightly draw to incidents where players are physically harmed by the crowd, so the same should happen in reverse.
Were the Goodison crowd not buoyed by the result the situation did have the potential to escalate, which would have been very serious, and it is surprising that a player with such experience of pressure was involved.
In other Everton news, one Toffee’s move to the club was branded “stupid” by a Dutch legend who is tired of his countrymen arriving at Goodison.
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