Cristiano Ronaldo’s much-anticipated debut for his new Saudi Arabian club was thrown into confusion as the stadium was sealed off and reports circulated that the match had been cancelled. Hundreds of staff, including security personnel, chefs, and stadium employees, were kept outside the locked gates as groups of chefs in white uniforms and several hundred security officials dressed in black stood by bewildered.

The players’ entrance at gate nine was also sealed and unguarded. Officials told MailOnline that the stadium was empty, with the game due to kick off in just a few hours. Supporters of the club, dressed in its yellow and blue colors, also stood outside, unsure of what was happening.

Ronaldo’s debut had already been vetoed by FIFA due to a two-match ban he received while playing for Manchester United, and the club has not yet revealed whether it will adhere to the ban. It is not yet clear whether the match will be held on Friday evening as a senior police officer suggested.

The potential cancellation is a major embarrassment for the club, which spent upwards of £400 million to secure Ronaldo’s services for the next two and a half years. Both police officers and security officials told Mail Online that they had been told the match was off. Any cancellation is likely to add to the embarrassment of the club and will raise questions about the decision to invest such a large sum in Ronaldo’s services.