Cristiano Ronaldo is facing a ban for the start of Portugal’s World Cup campaign next summer following his red card on Thursday night.
The 40-year-old was sent off for swinging an elbow at defender Dara O’Shea during Portugal’s 2-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland in Dublin.
Ronaldo was initially given a yellow card before referee Glenn Nyberg changed his decision to a red following a VAR review.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward will now serve an automatic one-game ban for Portugal’s next World Cup qualifier against Armenia on Sunday.
However, FIFA disciplinary laws indicate that the nature of Ronaldo’s red card offence means he could miss ‘at least two matches for serious foul play’ and ‘at least three matches for violent conduct’.
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It remains unclear whether Ronaldo’s red card was classed as serious foul play or violent conduct by the referee.
Suspensions only cover competitive games and not friendlies, meaning that if Ronaldo were to receive a three-match ban for violent conduct, he would be unavailable for Portugal’s first two group games at the World Cup.
Portugal currently sit top of Group F and a win over Armenia, who sit bottom of the table, would see Roberto Martinez’s side qualify for the World Cup next year.
‘He’s just a captain that has never been sent off before in 226 games, so I think that deserves credit,’ Portugal head coach, Roberto Martinez, said of Ronaldo’s dismissal.
‘Today, I think it was a bit harsh, because he cares about the team. He had 60 minutes being grabbed, being pulled, being pushed.
‘Obviously when he tries to get away from the defender, the action looks worse than it actually is. I don’t think it’s the elbow, I think it’s the full body. But from where the camera is, it looks like an elbow.
‘We accept it because it is a red card. But it is for the right reasons; he cares, he was in the mood of the team and we were frustrated.’
As he left the pitch following his red card, Ronaldo was furious with Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson.
‘He said I had put pressure on the referee before the match,’ Hallgrimsson revealed.
‘He asked me if I was happy about the sending off. Portugal lost their best player — yes, I am happy. But it didn’t come from me, it was his own action.’
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