Saudi league probing Ronaldo over gesture
Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly being investigated for making an alleged offensive gesture while playing for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.
Footage on social media appeared to show Ronaldo cupping his ear and repeatedly thrusting his hand forward near his pelvis, seemingly aimed at rival Al Shabab supporters.
The incident occurred Sunday after Al Nassr beat Al Shabab 3-2.
In the background were chants of “Messi.” Lionel Messi is Ronaldo’s longstanding soccer rival.
While the incident was not captured by television cameras, criticism of the 39-year-old Portugal striker has been swift. Local media reports say the Saudi Arabia Football Federation has opened an investigation.
He could face a suspension. Al Nassr’s next match is Thursday.
Ronaldo, who moved to the Riyadh-based club in December 2022, has a league-leading 22 goals.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
The Top 25 polls: The Houston Cougars (24-3) moved to No. 1 for the first time this season in the Associated Press
Top 25 men’s basketball poll.
UConn (25-3), the previous top team, fell to third after losing to Creighton. Purdue (25-3) rose one spot to No. 2.
South Florida (21-5), which was picked ninth in the American Athletic Conference, made the Top 25 for the first time in program history. South Florida is 25th.
Florida (19-8) remained 24th.
On the women’s side, South Carolina (27-0) remained the unanimous No. 1 team, receiving all 35 votes. South Carolina’s week included victories over Alabama and Kentucky.
TENNIS
No. 500 for Murray:
Three-time major champion Andy Murray from Great Britain won his 500th career hard-court match when he beat Canadian Denis Shapovalov
4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3 in the first round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
Murray, 36, joined Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andre Agassi and Rafael Nadal in the 500 club. After the match, he indicated he might retire this year.
He said he “probably [doesn’t] have too long left, but I’ll do the best that I can these last few months.”
ETC.
NBA: Chris Paul, the 12-time All-Star point guard, is listed as available to play Tuesday in Washington after missing almost two months with a broken hand. Coach Steve Kerr will have a complete array of rotation players to deploy to begin a stretch of road games against Wizards, New York, Toronto and Boston.
Paul’s return will give Golden State a secondunit backcourt of two future Hall of Famers: Paul, 38, and Klay
Thompson. But it will also give Kerr even more options to consider for the closing lineup, with those two and Brandin Podziemski probably most often competing for one spot.
NHL: Colorado forward Valeri Nichushkin was cleared to resume practicing with the team, the NHL and players association announced. He has entered the “follow-up care” phase of the NHL/ NHLPA player assistance program. He has not been cleared to return to game action. Nichushkin, 28, has been away from the team since entering the program Jan. 15.