Fans fume Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty is ‘illegal’ and demand retake – but France have last laugh in penalty shootout

Ronaldo consoled a tearful fellow Portugal legend in the wake of his country’s Euros exit

FOOTBALL fans demanded Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty be re-taken for his stuttering run-up in Portugal’s shoot-out against France.

Cristiano Ronaldo stopped and stuttered before scoring his penalty in the shoot-outCredit: EPA

Many football fans labelled Ronaldo’s run-up ‘illegal’Credit: AP

Ronaldo looked on devastated after France booked their place in the semi-finalsCredit: Getty
For many, it was justice for Ronaldo’s controversial penalty as he stopped and stuttered heavily before firing past the dive of Mike Maignan.

And those on social media were quick to vent their frustration about his spot kick.

One said: “F***ing despise that run up from Ronaldo, should be illegal.”

Another added: “That full stop Ronaldo does should be illegal.”

A third replied: “Ronaldo taking an illegal penalty again.”

While a fourth responded: “Ronaldo’s run up was illegal as f***, stopped about three times.”

And a fifth said: “Swear Ronaldo’s penalty is illegal.”

In fact, Ronaldo did nothing wrong according to Uefa’s laws.

The law states: “The kicker must not stop or feint (pretend to kick the ball) at the end of their run-up – they must kick it immediately.

“But feinting in the run-up is permitted.”

Ronaldo missed a penalty in normal time in Portugal’s last-16 win over Slovenia on Monday and was seen crying on the pitch.

He stepped up to score in the shoot-out, but was then left devastated on Friday evening as France edged past Portugal.

And this time the Manchester United icon became the consoler as he embraced Portugal’s tearful defender Pepe, 41, in the wake of their defeat.

Ronaldo, who triumphed with Portugal in 2016, has confirmed it is his sixth and final European Championships – a competition in which he has netted 14 goals, making him the record scorer.

But he failed to score in any of his five appearances at Euro 2024 and missed a host of chances in the process.

“I’m moved by everything that football entails, by the enthusiasm I have for the game, the enthusiasm I see in the fans, having my family here, people’s passion.

“It’s not about leaving the world of football. What else is there for me to do or win?”