The boy has autism and dyspraxia
The mother of the boy who was allegedly assaulted by Cristiano Ronaldo following Everton’s win over Manchester United on Saturday has said her son was left ‘in shock’ by the incident.
14-year-old Jake Kelly, who has autism and dyspraxia, was filming all the United players walking past the fans into the tunnel after the full-time whistle, his mother explained. He then lowered his phone to get a closer look at the leg injury Ronaldo had sustained, at which point it was smashed out of his hand.
“At full-time the Man United players started walking off. We were in the Park End so we were right by the tunnel where they came walking past – my son was there videoing them all,” the boy’s mother, Sarah, told the Liverpool ECHO.
“He filmed all the United players walking through. And then he lowered his phone because Ronaldo had pulled down his sock and his leg was bleeding. He lowered his phone to see what it was – he didn’t even speak.
“Ronaldo then just walked past, with a terrible, terrible temper and smashed the phone out of my son’s hand and carried on walking.
“I was crying, I was shook up, Jacob was in complete shock – he’s autistic and he’s got dyspraxia as well, so he didn’t really digest what was happening until he’s come home now.”
Sarah went on to reveal this was her son’s first ever football match in the flesh and that the shocking incident could prevent him from going to another.
“He’s really upset about it and it’s completely put him off going to the game again,” she explained.
“This is the first football game he’s been to and this has happened. We had an absolutely brilliant day up until those final few seconds when they came off the pitch. It’s completely ruined the day and put a bad taste in our mouth.
“He’s an idol. Yes, he’s not from Everton and you like who you like, but Ronaldo’s a big player. My son’s always been like ‘Ronaldo’s going to be there’ – he’s an icon.
“I’d understand if Jake was waving it in his face but he wasn’t near his face, it was down by the floor checking his injury. He’s an autistic boy and he’s been assaulted by a football player, that’s how I see it as a mum.”
Ronaldo did apologise for the unfortunate incident on Saturday evening, posting on Instagram that he would like to invite the child to Old Trafford “as a sign of fair-play and sportsmanship.”
Merseyside Police are also liaising with Manchester United Football Club and Everton FC following reports of an alleged assault.
Related links
- Cristiano Ronaldo offers fan trip to Old Trafford as Merseyside police issue statement
- Man United set to investigate Cristiano Ronaldo ‘phone smash’ incident
- David De Gea gives scathing assessment of Man Utd loss at Everton
