Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo holds the captain's armband, right, reacts during the World Cup 2022 group A qualifying soccer match between Serbia and Portugal at the Rajko Mitic stadium in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, March 27, 2021. The captain's armband which Cristiano Ronaldo threw to the pitch after his overtime winning goal was disallowed in a World Cup qualifier against Serbia has been put on auction Tuesday March 30, 2021. The armband is being auctioned by a charity group raising money for surgery of a six-month-old boy from Serbia suffering spinal muscular atrophy. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
The Associated Press
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) - The Portugal captain's armband which Cristiano Ronaldo slammed into the ground after his apparent winning goal was disallowed in a World Cup qualifier against Serbia was put up for auction on Tuesday.
A charity group which is trying to collect money for the surgery of a 6-month-old boy from Serbia with spinal muscular atrophy got the armband from a stadium worker who picked it up after the match ended in a 2-2 draw on Saturday in Belgrade.
The group said the blue armband with the letter C will be in an online auction for three days.
Ronaldo walked off the field moments before the final whistle after his injury-time goal was not allowed by officials. The Juventus player dinked the ball over the Serbia goalkeeper and it apparently crossed the line before being cleared by an opposing defender.
While heading straight into the dressing room before the final whistle, Ronaldo angrily threw down his captain armband near the touchline.
Ronaldo was publicly criticized for the action and some believe his angry display could lead to FIFA sanctions if the governing body deems his reaction to be offensive or violent conduct.
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Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo wearing his captain's armband, reacts during the World Cup 2022 group A qualifying soccer match against Serbia at the Rajko Mitic stadium in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, March 27, 2021. The captain's armband which Cristiano Ronaldo threw to the pitch after his overtime winning goal was disallowed in a World Cup qualifier against Serbia has been put on auction Tuesday March 30, 2021. The armband is being auctioned by a charity group raising money for surgery of a six-month-old boy from Serbia suffering spinal muscular atrophy. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
The Associated Press
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo wearing his captain's armband reacts during the World Cup 2022 group A qualifying soccer match against Serbia at the Rajko Mitic stadium in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, March 27, 2021. The captain's armband which Cristiano Ronaldo threw to the pitch after his overtime winning goal was disallowed in a World Cup qualifier against Serbia has been put on auction Tuesday March 30, 2021. The armband is being auctioned by a charity group raising money for surgery of a six-month-old boy from Serbia suffering spinal muscular atrophy. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
The Associated Press
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the World Cup 2022 group A qualifying soccer match between Serbia and Portugal at the Rajko Mitic stadium in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, March 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
The Associated Press
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the World Cup 2022 group A qualifying soccer match between Serbia and Portugal at the Rajko Mitic stadium in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, March 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
The Associated Press
Serbia's Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, left, and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo challenge for the ball during the World Cup 2022 group A qualifying soccer match between Serbia and Portugal at the Rajko Mitic stadium in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, March 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
The Associated Press