Cristiano Ronaldo cautioned by police after footage showed him slapping boy's phone out of hand

Cristiano Ronaldo has been cautioned by police after footage emerged of the footballer hitting a phone out of an Everton fan's hand at a match.

Merseyside Police said: "We can confirm that a 37-year-old man voluntarily attended and was interviewed under caution in relation to an allegation of assault and criminal damage.

"The allegation relates to an incident following the Everton v Manchester United football match at Goodison Park on Saturday April 9.

"The matter has been dealt with by way of conditional caution. The matter has now concluded."

A caution is not a criminal conviction and acts as more of a formal warning, which can be used as evidence of bad character if the person goes to court for another crime in the future.

To receive a caution, a person must admit to an offence and agree to be cautioned.

Officers launched an investigation after a clip was circulated online of Ronaldo knocking the young boy's phone out of his hand as he limped off towards the tunnel.

The fan's mother previously claimed her son, 14-year-old son Jake Harding, was left "bruised" and "in complete shock" by the incident.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo at the time, Sarah Kelly said the teenager was autistic and "really upset" about what happened, adding it has "completely put him off" going to another game.

She also shared an image of her son's hand, in which it appeared red and bruised.

Ms Kelly told Sky News she refused to meet the footballer after one of his representatives phoned and invited her and Jake to do so.

'It's never easy to deal with emotions in difficult moments'

After the incident, the Portuguese forward apologised for his "outburst" and invited the supporter to watch a game at Old Trafford "as a sign of fair play and sportsmanship".

"It's never easy to deal with emotions in difficult moments such as the one we are facing," he wrote on Instagram.

"Nevertheless, we always have to be respectful, patient and set the example for all the youngsters who love the beautiful game.

"I would like to apologise 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."

Ten days after the incident, Ronaldo announced the death of one of his newborn twins, saying it was the "greatest pain that any parents can feel".