Cristiano Ronaldo has said ‘sorry’ after he left an autistic boy’s hand bruised says the mum of an Everton fan after the phone incident.
Sarah Kelly, from Upton, took her 14-year-old son Jake Harding to Goodison Park on Saturday the 9th of April to watch his beloved Toffees side for the first time.
He saw Everton pick up a much needed 1-0 victory thanks to a first-half goal from fan favourite Anthony Gordon.
Jake and Sarah sat in the Park End, meaning that they were next to the away side as the players made their way off the pitch to the dressing room.
Ronaldo smashing someone’s phone at full time 🤣🤣 EFC pic.twitter.com/nw0XIK2enR
— EvertonHub (@evertonhub) April 9, 2022
Footage circulating on social media straight after the game shows Ronaldo appearing to angrily knock an object, suggested to be a mobile phone, out of someone’s hand as the Portuguese striker and his teammates made their way back to in.
On Saturday night, Ronaldo apologised for his “outburst” at Goodison Park.
Sarah told Liverpool ECHO that the phone belonged to her son Jake and Ronaldo “assaulted” him, bruising his hand, by knocking it to the floor.
She said: “At full-time the Man United players started walking off. We were in the Park End so we were right by the tunnel where they came walking past – my son was there videoing them all.
“He filmed all the United players walking through. And then he lowered his phone because Ronaldo had pulled down his sock and his leg was bleeding. He lowered his phone to see what it was – he didn’t even speak.
“Ronaldo then just walked past, with a terrible, terrible temper and smashed the phone out of my son’s hand and carried on walking.”
Sarah handed in pictures to the ECHO which appear to show bruising to Jake’s hand as well as a phone with a smashed screen.
She added: “You can see by the bruise that he’s made contact. I just can’t believe I’m talking about it.”
Sarah said that the ordeal left Jake, who is autistic and has dyspraxia, in “complete shock”, ruining what was an enjoyable first match for the lad at Goodison.
She said: “I was crying, I was shook up, Jacob was in complete shock – he’s autistic and he’s got dyspraxia as well, so he didn’t really digest what was happening until he’s come home now.
“He’s really upset about it and it’s completely put him off going to the game again. This is the first football game he’s been to and this has happened.
“We had an absolutely brilliant day up until those final few seconds when they came off the pitch. It’s completely ruined the day and put a bad taste in our mouth.
She said: “He’s an idol. Yes, he’s not from Everton and you like who you like, but Ronaldo’s a big player. My son’s always been like ‘Ronaldo’s going to be there’ – he’s an icon.
“I’d understand if Jake was waving it in his face but he wasn’t near his face, it was down by the floor checking his injury.”
Oh dear……… pic.twitter.com/gnKlBj0EuN
— Gareth (@garethrichmond5) April 9, 2022
She added: “He’s an autistic boy and he’s been assaulted by a football player, that’s how I see it as a mum.”
On Instagram shortly before 10pm on Saturday night, Ronaldo wrote: “It’s never easy to deal with emotions in difficult moments such as the one we are facing.
“Nevertheless, we always have to be respectful, patient and set the example for all the youngsters who love the beautiful game.
“I would like to apologize for my outburst and, if possible, I would like to invite this supporter to watch a game at Old Trafford as a sign of fair-play and sportsmanship.”
Merseyside Police confirm that they are liaising with both Manchester United and Everton following reports that a boy was allegedly assaulted by an away player at the game. Anyone with information is urged to contact the police.
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police told the ECHO: “We can confirm that we are liaising with Manchester United Football Club and Everton FC following reports of an alleged assault at the Everton v Manchester United football match today (Saturday 9 April 2022) at Goodison.
“As players were leaving the pitch at 2.30pm it was reported that a boy was assaulted by one of the away team as they left the pitch.
“Inquiries are underway and officers are currently working with Everton Football club to review CCTV footage and are carrying out extensive witness enquiries to establish if an offence has taken place.
“Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police Contact centre quoting reference number 228 of 9 April 2022.”
A spokesperson for Manchester United told the ECHO: “We are aware of an alleged incident after today’s game at Everton and the club will cooperate with any police inquiries.”
Twitter users had their say as a ‘sorry’ Cristiano Ronaldo left the autistic boy’s hand bruised says mum of the Everton fan…
@MessiMilanfan: He broke the kids phone and invited him to watch him in United? poor kid cant get any worser
@BRIANSMITHH88: All PR. Our fans are sick of him now though. Clearly not the right player to lead the line. Hopefully he’s gone in the summer
@reinhardfox3: Why will an everton fan watch a match at old trafford
@bsweta56: If ronaldo was really sorry about what he did, he would just buy him a new phone, visit him and apologize. How is a ticket to watch game apology for someone who was watching a game live, what about the phone that got ruined?
@edgeofcoaching: Sorry, but Ronaldo’s reaction was infantile and completely unacceptable. Blaming the “heat of the moment” is a stupid excuse for someone who prides himself on being more disciplined in life than anyone else.
@alexanderdack: Why would he punish them further by making them go to another Utd game?
@ruthergears21: Not sure inviting an Everton fan to old Trafford will go down well.
@ryguevara: Ronaldo smashes a kids phone and then is like ‘sorry lad I’ll get ye tickets for the next home game’ just by the kid a new phone ffs you mad narcissist
@DouglasSoya: Having your phone smashed and then being forced to sit through another United game. Torture.
@UtdDc112: What happens if an Everton supporter doesn’t want to go to old Trafford 😭
@JacobJarvis20: asking them to watch us play is worse than anything you could’ve done to their phone pal
@AidanWalshMUFC: Why would he want to watch us play? My guy is gonna have to pay big money
@MUFCMarceI: Ronaldo is trying to suffer him more by inviting him to watch United? 😭😭😭
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