Merseyside Police said on Sunday that they were investigating an incident that saw Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo apparently slapping a phone out of a fan’s hand as he left the field following a 1-0 Premier League loss at Everton on Saturday. 

“As players were leaving the pitch at 2:30 p.m., it was reported that a boy was assaulted by one of the away team as they left the pitch,” Merseyside Police said Sunday.

“Inquiries are under way and officers are currently working with Everton Football Club to review CCTV (video) footage and are carrying out extensive witness enquiries to establish if an offence has taken place.”

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Ronaldo smashed the phone of a young Everton fan while making his way to the tunnel in Goodison Park. The video soon went viral on the internet, causing an outrage. 

Following this, Ronaldo issued an apology saying it was “never easy to deal with emotions in difficult moments such as the one we are facing.”

In a post on Instagram on Saturday, Ronaldo added, “I would like to apologize for my outburst and, if possible, I would like to invite this supporter to watch a game at Old Trafford as a sign of fair-play and sportsmanship.”

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With Saturday’s defeat, United fell to seventh and six points behind the four Champions League qualification places.

Calling the defeat a “disgrace,” United goalkeeper David de Gea told BT Sport, “We don’t create, that’s the problem. We don’t even create proper chances to score. I don’t know what to say, to be honest. We’re not good enough, that’s for sure. It’s going to be very difficult now to be in the top four.”