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Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo has been charged with improper conduct by the UEFA for his 'cojones' celebration after eliminating Atletico Madrid from the Champions League last week.
The 34-year-old remarkably overturned the Old Lady's 2-0 first leg deficit by scoring a hat-trick to fire them to the quarter-finals of the European competition.
Juventus are setting their sights on the Champions League this season, with the Serie A leaders already looking at an inevitable domestic title. Ronaldo's exploits have ensured that the club progresses to the next stage of the competition and last week's draw has determined the Bianconeri's quarter-final opponents to be Ajax.
The treble marked the former Real Madrid star's eighth Champions League hat-trick, which means he has also equaled Lionel Messi's record in the competition.
After completing the hat-trick, Ronaldo was seen mimicking Atletico boss Diego Simeone's celebration from the first leg of the fixture in an effort to spite him.
Simeone has since reacted to the celebration saying (via Metro UK),
"Surely he was thinking about his people when he did it, like me at the Wanda, saying they have personality. Cristiano is one of the best in the world, it is normal that he can play how he has done tonight."
Meanwhile, Juventus manager Max Allegri has defended Ronaldo's celebration stating that he does not think the UEFA will suspend the forward for the gesture.
Speaking to Goal, he said,
"Absolutely not. I think everyone celebrated their own way on the field and in the stands. I saw nothing strange, just a celebration. There won't be a ban."
UEFA has already fined Simeone €20,000 for the celebration and it appears Ronaldo could face more than just a fine as punishment. The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body will make a decision on the matter on March 21.
Twitter has since exploded with reactions to the charge:
