Ronaldo Risks World Cup Ban After First-ever Portugal Red Card In Defeat To Ireland

Cristiano Ronaldo could miss nan commencement of nan 2026 World Cup aft being sent disconnected for nan first clip successful his Portugal profession during a daze 2-0 conclusion to Ireland connected Thursday, November 13. The reddish paper was issued for convulsive behaviour and puts nan 40-year-old astatine consequence of a multi-match suspension nether FIFA’s disciplinary rules.

The conclusion comes conscionable 1 time aft Ronaldo publically vowed to beryllium a “good boy” up of a dispute reception successful Dublin.

Ronaldo sent disconnected nan transportation astatine Aviva Stadium

Ronaldo was initially shown a yellowish paper successful nan 61st infinitesimal for elbowing defender Dara O’Shea while contesting possession. Following a transportation video playback review, Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg upgraded nan determination to a consecutive red.

It was reportedly Ronaldo’s first-ever reddish paper successful his 226 appearances for Portugal.

Ireland head Heimir Hallgrimsson told ESPN that Ronaldo sarcastically “complimented” him connected influencing nan referee, adding, “It was his action connected nan transportation that costs him nan reddish card… a infinitesimal of a small silliness from him.”

FIFA rules propose Ronaldo’s suspension could increase

Under FIFA’s disciplinary code:

• Serious foul play requires astatine slightest a two-match ban.
• Violent conduct, including elbowing, carries a minimum three-match ban.

This intends Ronaldo is almost guaranteed to miss Portugal’s adjacent qualifier against Armenia but risks a longer prohibition carrying into nan 2026 World Cup successful nan United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Portugal coach Roberto Martínez defended his captain, pinch Sky Sports citing, “I deliberation nan action looks worse than what it really is, I don’t deliberation it’s an elbow, I deliberation it’s a afloat body, but from wherever nan camera is, it looks for illustration an elbow. But we judge it.

The only point that leaves a bitter sensation successful my rima is astatine nan property convention yesterday, your coach was talking astir nan facet of nan referees being influenced, and past a large centre-half falls connected nan level truthful dramatically astatine nan move of Cristiano’s body.”

Despite nan defeat, Portugal stay 2 points up of Hungary successful Group F. A triumph against Armenia would unafraid qualification — and nonstop Ronaldo to a grounds sixth World Cup.

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