Ex-Fifa official: Cristiano Ronaldo may face FA action as controversial Man United footage emerges
Cristiano Ronaldo may face FA action after his "petulant" actions towards a crowd member after Man United were beaten 1-0 by Everton on Saturday (9 April), according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee delivered his verdict after a video emerged of Ronaldo smashing the phone of a young Everton fan.
The 36-year-old is trudging down the Goodison Park tunnel before he swipes the device out of the child's hand.
He released a statement on Instagram yesterday (10 April) apologising for his actions and inviting the fan to a Man United game.
"It's petulant," Hackett told Football Insider's Connor Whitley.
"The one thing is that that sort of thing tarnishes the game. If it's Ronaldo he's expected to be 100 per cent. He's obviously frustrated and disappointed with the result.
"We don't know what has been said to the player. The player should be allowed to exit the field without any sort of problems but he's petulant.
"I've no doubt that the FA will look into it but we don't know what the outcome will be.
"Ronaldo has already said that he'll give him tickets to go to a Man United game but he's an Everton fan so I don't think that's a good idea. All he's got to do is replace his phone which he can obviously afford to do.
"It's not good for the image of the game and these guys are operating in a bubble.
"Ronaldo is wrong and he's recognised he's wrong. Players do wrong things when they're frustrated and he's clearly frustrated. It's unbecoming of him and the game. Buy the kid a new phone and move one.
"From an FA point of view, write him a note and say 'Look, behave yourself'. That's all that's required, they will bury it."