MV Editors Note: Our sincerest apologies to readers. The story originally posted (from www.veteransnewsnow.com which is retained below for reference) contained many errors and unverifiable claims and it seems to be based on an older story. A report of the original incident from last year is therefore reproduced below.
By: Agnisheik Chatterji
Source: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk
March 25 2013
Palestinian supporters claim Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo publicly endorsed their cause by refusing to swap shirts with Israeli players during Friday’s World Cup qualifier in Tel Aviv.
After the match Ronaldo walked straight off the pitch rather than exchange his shirt for an opposition player’s, a ritual which is common in international football. He appeared to chat briefly to one Israeli player, before walking away.
However it is unclear whether this was a deliberate snub from the world’s most expensive player, who appeared angry and frustrated throughout the match.
In the build-up to the game, Ronaldo posted a picture of himself and his teammates in Tel Aviv on his Facebook page, describing it as a “great morning”. The comment drew a torrent of protest from Palestinians.
Despite the ambiguity, those who support an independent Palestine were quick to hail Ronaldo’s actions after the final whistle on Friday. A video of the alleged snub was posted on YouTube, attracting dozens of messages of support.
One message read “Respect for ronaldo. A real Human!” Another user wrote “zionist scum deserve it… 2 thumbs Ronaldo”.
Ronaldo has expressed support for Palestine several times in the past. The former Manchester United winger previously donated a part of his earnings to charities dedicated to building schools in Gaza.
Last November, Real Madrid’s official Arabic website posted news of Ronaldo donating £1.2 million to Palestinian children. The 28-year-old gave away his Golden Boot award to the Real Madrid foundation, which later put it up for auction to raise money for building schools in Palestine.
During his time at Manchester United, Ronaldo was spotted sporting the keffiyeh, an item of headgear which rose in prominence in the Arab world in the 1960s with the beginning of the Palestinian resistance movement and its adoption by Palestinian politician Yasser Arafat.
STORY FROM VETERRANSNEWSNOW FOR REFERENCE:
By: veteransnewsnow
Source: http://www.veteransnewsnow.com/
Ronaldo said: “I do not exchange my shirt with ASSASSINS”
This was a phrase used by the Portuguese star Cristiano at a meeting after a friendly playoff between Israel and Portugal before the World Cup.
After the match, an Israeli player removing his shirt offered it to Ronaldo, who refused because he could not agree to wear a jersey on which there was the flag of the State of Israel.
In the locker room when reporters asked him why he had refused to exchange his jersey, he said “I do not exchange my shirt with murderers” (Google English translation).
A Real Euro-star: Cristiano Ronaldo, who became the world’s most expensive footballer when he joined Real Madrid for £80 million from Manchester United, made his full international debut for Portugal in 2003.
This is not the first time the Portuguese star Ronaldo has shown his solidarity with Palestinians, last year he auctioned off his soccer boot in gold, to help Palestinian victims of Israeli bombing.