Cristiano Ronaldo speaks out after storming off down the tunnel in ‘the heat of the moment’
"I’ve always tried to set the example myself for the youngsters that grew in all the teams that I’ve represented... unfortunately, that’s not always possible."
Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken out to address the moment he was seen storming off down the tunnel before the end of Manchester United‘s win over Tottenham earlier this week.
The red half of Manchester may be sitting in a somewhat respectable fifth place on the Premier League table at the time of writing, but the team’s impressive 2-0 win over high-flying Spurs on Wednesday night was still undoubtedly a relief for Red Devils’ fans watching on the night after a recent mixed run of matches.
The joyous occasion was, however, a bit marred for some fans by the fact star striker Ronaldo took the decision to head on down the tunnel before the game had even finished.
The Reds were already cruising home to victory thanks to goals from Fred and Bruno Fernandes.
But the 37-year-old striker appeared unhappy at his lack of playing time during the match, and while he should have been ready to welcome the rest of his teammates back into the dressing room after their convincing victory, he instead chose to get up from the bench and head for the Old Trafford exit in the 89th minute.
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Speaking after the match on Wednesday, manager Erik ten Hag said he would “deal with [Ronaldo] tomorrow” and that his focus for the time being was on celebrating the big win and recovering for their next game this Saturday.
Now, after much fan chatter and speculation about why he chose to exit the pitch early, the Portuguese player has taken to social media to speak out on the matter.
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Cristiano Ronaldo speaks out after storming off down the tunnel in ‘the heat of the moment’ / Credit: Cristiano Ronaldo (via Instagram)
Addressing the situation in a post to Instagram, Ronaldo said: “As I’ve always done throughout my career, I try to live and play respectfully towards my colleagues, my adversaries and my coaches. That hasn’t changed. I haven’t changed. I’m the same person and the same professional that I’ve been for the last 20 years playing elite football, and respect has always played a very important role in my decision making process.
“I started very young, the older and most experienced players examples were always very important to me. Therefore, later on, I’ve always tried to set the example myself for the youngsters that grew in all the teams that I’ve represented.
“Unfortunately that’s not always possible and sometimes the heat of the moment gets the best of us.
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“Right now, I just feel that I have to keep working hard in Carrington, support my teammates and be ready for everything in any given game.
“Giving in to the pressure is not an option. It never was. This is Manchester United, and united we must stand.
Since ten Hag was appointed manager of Manchester United, footballing veteran and all-time world-leading goalscorer Ronaldo has enjoyed significantly less time on the pitch than he is used to, and while he has scored a couple of goals in the minutes he has played, the feeling is that his contribution to the team’s wider performance is waning.
This isn’t the first time he’s thrown a bit of a strop over being left on the bench this season either, and his attitude towards his lack of minutes has lead to fans and media alike branding his behaviour “childish”, “embarrassing” and “incredibly disrespectful”.
Following the early tunnel exit incident, Manchester United has confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo will not be including in the squad to face Chelsea in the Premier League this weekend.
Featured Image – Manchester United
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WWE is returning to Manchester for a blockbuster live show
Danny Jones
Just a few months on from making its debut at Co-op Live, WWE has announced it will be returning to Manchester for another turn around the ring and a blockbuster clash of stars later this year.
However, this time they’re heading back to their roots here in Manchester with the AO Arena set to welcome them once again for a very special show.
As part of the build-up to the first-ever WWE Premium Live Event taking place in the French capital this August simply entitled, Clash in Paris, a number of shows will be taking place here in the UK first.
Teaming up not only with the AO but beloved local dive bar, Junior Jackson’s, for a special giveaway, wrestling fans have all the more reason to get excited by the ‘Road to Clash in Paris‘ programme.
With the venue also set to host a special screening of the 1995 Royal Rumble – the same year that the AO Arena first opened its doors – there are prizes to be won.
Not only are there 100 free drinks to be won at Junior’s, with the home venue Bunny Jackson’s and the country-style karaoke spin-off regularly showing the WWE action, but if you happen to be first and second in the queue you’re in for a real treat…
Yes, if you’re an eager enough beaver, the first two people through the door at JJ’s on Wednesday, 19 March will receive two free tickets to the live WWE show in Manchester on Tuesday, 26 August.
They’ll be letting people in for the ticket giveaway from 5pm and the free pints will be poured until approximately 7:20pm when the Royal Rumble rewatch is due to end.
See in the queue, I guess – and be prepared for us to wrestle you to be first in line.
Anything under the Jackson’s banner is considered the unofficial home of WWE in Manchester, as far as we’re concerned.
As for the AO Arena date, fans in attendance will see their favourite WWE Superstars in action, including Undisputed WWE Champion, a.k.a. ‘The American Nightmare’, Cody Rhodes; World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER, Jey Uso, WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton; Seth Rollins, Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair, Sami Zayn, and many more.
The final lineup is still yet to be fully confirmed but you’ll be treated to some seriously big names and, of course, they always have a few surprises up their sleeve.
Man City fan jailed after causing £10k damage to a police vehicle following Champions League victory
Emily Sergeant
A Manchester City fan has been jailed for his part in large-scale disorder following the club’s Champions League victory.
The court heard how, following Manchester City’s Champions League Final win over Inter Milan in Istanbul in Turkey on Saturday 10 June 2023, jubilant fans flocked to the streets of Manchester city centre for late-night celebrations.
The large influx of fans in high spirits prompted a police response to ‘ensure public safety’ and ‘prevent any public disorder’, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
However, the disorder did begin to escalate despite police presence.
A number of fans, including 22-year-old Leon Blackett, scaled a police vehicle and proceeded to jump up and down on it, which subsequently caused more than £10,000 worth of damage, and resulted in the vehicle having to be written off.
#JAILED | Leon Blackett (14/01/2003) of Craigmore Avenue, has been been handed a three-month jail term for causing £10k worth of damage to a police vehicle following the club's Champions League win in 2023, along with 41 months for other offences.
Following the disorder, an investigation was launched by GMP’s City Centre policing, with officers obtaining social media and CCTV footage that helped them to identify those responsible.
Blackett admitted to the offence, after he was arrested on Thursday 19 October 2023.
Following admitting to the offence, Blackett was sentenced to 44 months in prison – a three-month jail term for this football-related offence, along with 41 months for possession of a bladed article and a domestic related communications offence.
He has also been given a seven-year Football Banning Order, commencing on the day Blackett received his sentence.
“The actions by Blackett in the wake of Manchester City’s historic Champions League Final victory were completely unacceptable,” commented PC Matt Ford, from GMP’s Specialist Operations Planning Unit.
“This is a timely reminder to those who commit crimes while following the football in another country, we will seek prosecutions for unacceptable behaviour.”
Emily Sergeant -
21st October 2022 
