Ronaldo's Red Card and FIFA's Verdict
In a significant development for global football, Cristiano Ronaldo has been handed a partially suspended three-match ban by FIFA. This disciplinary action follows the legendary striker's first-ever red card received during his 226 international appearances for Portugal. The incident occurred in a match this November in Dublin, where Portugal suffered a 2-0 loss to Ireland.
Details of the Suspended Ban
The 40-year-old Al Nassr forward was dismissed for elbowing Ireland's Dara O'Shea in the back. Of the three-match sanction imposed by FIFA's disciplinary committee, one match has already been served during Portugal's subsequent World Cup qualification game against Armenia.
More crucially for Ronaldo's international future, the remaining two matches of the ban have been suspended under a one-year probation period. A FIFA statement to AFP clarified the terms, citing article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
"If Cristiano Ronaldo commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension set out in the disciplinary decision shall be deemed automatically revoked and the remaining two matches must be served immediately at the next official (Portugal) matches," the world football governing body stated.
Implications for Ronaldo's World Cup Dream
This decision comes as a major relief for the veteran footballer, who aims to participate in his sixth World Cup in 2026. The tournament will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The suspended sentence effectively clears the path for Ronaldo to feature in Portugal's opening matches of the prestigious competition.
Ronaldo, who holds the record for the most international goals in men's football with 143 strikes, has previously led Portugal to victory in Euro 2016. However, the World Cup trophy remains the one major honour that has eluded him throughout his illustrious career.
The FIFA announcement arrived just one week after the Portuguese icon attended a high-profile White House dinner. The event saw him interacting with notable figures including US President Donald Trump, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Football fans worldwide now await the World Cup group stage draw scheduled for December 5, which will determine Portugal's initial path in the 2026 tournament.
