Cristiano Ronaldo: Juventus star escapes Champions League ban as Uefa hand out £17,000 fine for ‘obscene’ celebration

The Portuguese taunted Atletico Madrid fans after scoring a hat-trick to take the Italians into the quarter-finals of the competition

Cristiano Ronaldo has escaped a Champions League ban after Uefa handed out a fine for his "obscene" celebration against Atletico Madrid.

The decision by Uefa's control, ethics and disciplinary body was announced on Thursday, with the Juventus star fined £17,000 but free to play in the quarter-finals against Ajax.

The forward was facing an improper conduct charge under Uefa's disciplinary regulations for replicating the celebration Diego Simeone made in the first leg of their last 16 tie.

And Uefa have taken the decision to not ban the 34-year-old.

A statement read: “The CEDB has decided to fine the Juventus player Cristiano Ronaldo 20,000 Euros for his improper conduct.”

Ronaldo will now be able to play the first leg in Amsterdam on April 10, with the return leg just six days later on April 16.

Ronaldo now has four goals and two assists in the Champions League from seven games, with his hat-trick making up for a slow start.

Ronaldo celebrated with an obscene gesture

Portugal have recalled Ronaldo for the first time since the World Cup for their Euro 2020 qualifier against Ukraine and Serbia.