ROME - Cristiano Ronaldo has been charged with improper conduct by UEFA over an inappropriate goal celebration during Juventus’ Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid.

 Ronaldo, who scored all three of his side’s goals as they overturned a 2-0 first leg defeat to progress to the quarter finals, appeared to grab his crotch while celebrating his decisive penalty.

 The gesture was an imitation of Atletico manager Diego Simeone who had celebrated in this fashion when his side won the first leg a week earlier.

 Simeone has since been fined 20,000 euros.

 Ronaldo and Juventus must now await UEFA’s verdict on the case on 21 March and will hope that nothing too serious comes of the matter.

 Juventus are to play Dutch outfit Ajax in the quarter-finals of the competition, with many backing the side to win the competition after being runners-up in both 2015 and 2017.

ea