Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo has been charged with misconduct by UEFA for a gesture towards Benfica fans in December’s Champions League match betweenn the teams.

The Portugal winger made the one-fingered sign at the Estadio da Luz on Dec. 7 when United were knocked out of the competition.

Ronaldo played for Sporting, Benfica’s rivals, before joining United in August 2003 and he was subjected to a torrent of abuse from the home supporters.

After the match, Ronaldo said the abuse he suffered was unwarranted.

“There was nothing to justify the way the crowd treated me,” he said.

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