Ronaldo sorry for slapping fan’s phone as mum reveals boy’s agony

Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has apologised after he appeared to slap a young Everton fan’s mobile phone out of their hand as he headed off the pitch at the end of a 1-0 defeat for Manchester United at Goodison Park that the goalkeeper David de Gea called a “disgrace”.

Video footage appeared on social media on Saturday night of Ronaldo, 37, bending down and seeming to slap the camera of a fan who was apparently trying to take pictures of his leg, which had been badly cut during the match.

“It’s never easy to deal with emotions in difficult moments such as the one we are facing,” Ronaldo wrote on Instagram. “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 apologise 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.”

But the mother of 14-year-old son Jake Harding has given an interview to the Liverpool Echo telling the whole story.

Sarah Kelly has explained how Jake, who is autistic and got dyspraxia, was attending his first ever match and was left with a bruised hand after being ‘assaulted’ by the Man Utd star.

“At full-time the Man United players started walking off,” Sarah explained. “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.

“You can see by the bruise that he’s made contact. I just can’t believe I’m talking about it.

“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.

“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.

“He’s an autistic boy and he’s been assaulted by a football player, that’s how I see it as a mum.”