Cristiano Ronaldo is facing a ban for the beginning 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 modified his decision to a red following a VAR review.
The previous 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.
Nevertheless, FIFA disciplinary laws indicate that the character of Ronaldo’s red card offence means he could miss ‘at the very least two matches for serious foul play’ and ‘at the very least three matches for violent conduct’.
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It stays unclear whether Ronaldo’s red card was classed as serious foul play or violent conduct by the referee.
Suspensions only cover competitive games and never friendlies, meaning that if Ronaldo were to receive a three-match ban for violent conduct, he can be unavailable for Portugal’s first two group games on 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 12 months.
‘He’s only a captain that has never been sent off before in 226 games, so I believe that deserves credit,’ Portugal head coach, Roberto Martinez, said of Ronaldo’s dismissal.
‘Today, I believe it was a bit harsh, because he cares in regards to the team. He had 60 minutes being grabbed, being pulled, being pushed.
‘Obviously when he tries to get away from the defender, the motion looks worse than it actually is. I don’t think it’s the elbow, I believe it’s the total body. But from where the camera is, it looks like an elbow.
‘We accept it since it is a red card. Nevertheless it is for the precise reasons; he cares, he was within 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 used to be completely happy in regards to the sending off. Portugal lost their best player — yes, I’m completely happy. Nevertheless it didn’t come from me, it was his own motion.’
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