Will an exception be made for the biggest…?
Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo (40) received a red card for an elbow strike in the World Cup qualifying match against Ireland (0-2) during the last international break and is therefore in danger of missing Portugal’s start in the World Cup. The reason: such an attack usually means a three-match ban.
FIFA regulations, specifically Chapter 2, Article 14(i) of the Disciplinary Code, stipulate that players will be suspended “for at least three matches or a reasonable period of time for committing aggression, including elbowing, punching, kicking, biting, spitting or (otherwise) hitting an opponent.”
Red move: Ronaldo elbows O’Shea
But now CR7 can apparently breathe a sigh of relief. FIFA handed down the shock punishment after receiving objections from the Portuguese association.
According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, FIFA’s disciplinary committee has decided to impose a three-match ban on Ronaldo.
However, two of them were only given a probationary period. Meaning: They only need to be served if Ronaldo commit a similar violation next year.
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So he could be there when Portugal starts the World Cup. Ronaldo has already served a mandatory one-match ban against Armenia (9:1).
CR7 first flew off the field in his 226th international match wearing the Portugal national team uniform.
What happened?
Ronaldo lost his nerve in the opponent’s penalty area and elbowed Irish defender Dara O’Shea from behind. Referee Nyberg (Sweden) initially did not see the action, but was then called to the monitor by VAR.
Ronaldo saw a red card. As the superstar walked off the pitch, the Irish fans at the Aviva Stadium (Dublin) chanted:Messi“-Chanting.
Portugal’s international record player only received derisive applause and a non-serious thumbs-up.
For Ronaldo, next summer’s tournament in Canada, the US and Mexico will be his sixth World Cup participation – the same as Ronaldo’s joint record holder and long-term rival, Lionel Messi (38).
