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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
George Flood

Cristiano Ronaldo avoids Champions League ban but receives €20,000 fine for 'cojones' celebration

Ronaldo imitated Diego Simeone after netting the penalty that sent Juve through. (Picture: AP)

Cristiano Ronaldo has avoided a suspension but been handed a €20,000 (£17,422) fine by Uefa for his "cojones" celebration in the Champions League last-16 clash against Atletico Madrid on March 12.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner netted a hat-trick as Juventus successfully overturned a two-goal first-leg deficit with a comfortable 3-0 victory at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, but was later charged with improper conduct by European football's governing body.

That charge related to Ronaldo's behaviour after his hat-trick goal as he appeared to grab his crotch in a celebration that looked to mimic the one performed by Atletico boss Diego Simeone during the first leg in Spain.

Simeone had earlier been charged with improper conduct and issued a €20,000 fine, and the same punishment was dished out to Ronaldo following a meeting of Uefa officials on Thursday morning.

He will now be available for Juventus' quarter-final legs against Eredivisie giants Ajax on April 10 and April 16. If they get through that tie, then either Tottenham or Manchester City will await in the last four.

Juventus were not anticipating a suspension for their talisman following the win over Atletico.

“Absolutely not,” manager Massimiliano Allegri said.

"I think everyone celebrated their own way on the field and in the stands. I saw nothing strange, just a celebration. There won't be a ban."

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