Cristiano Ronaldo Set to Play in World Cup Despite Suspension

Cristiano Ronaldo will be eligible to participate in Portugal’s World Cup campaign despite receiving a red card in a recent match against the Republic of Ireland. The FIFA disciplinary committee has issued a three-match ban, but the final two matches are suspended for a year, contingent upon Ronaldo not committing any further infractions during that time. He has already completed the one-match suspension during Portugal’s final qualifier against Armenia.

Ronaldo received the red card after an incident where he appeared to swing an elbow at Ireland defender Dara O’Shea during a World Cup qualifier earlier this month. Following the match, Portugal’s coach, Roberto Martinez, spoke in defense of his captain, highlighting Ronaldo’s record of never having been sent off in over 226 games. Martinez stated, “I think that just deserves credit… I thought it was a bit harsh because he cares about the team. He was 60 minutes or 58 minutes in the box being grabbed, being pulled, being pushed.”

The coach argued that the incident may have looked worse than it actually was, saying, “I don’t think it’s an elbow, I think it’s a full body… But we accept it.”

FIFA’s disciplinary regulations dictate that any act of violent conduct, including elbowing, punching, kicking, biting, spitting at, or hitting an opponent, warrants a minimum suspension of three matches. The decision on Ronaldo’s suspension can be appealed to the FIFA appeal committee, which may influence the final outcome.

At 40 years old, Ronaldo has confirmed that the upcoming World Cup will “definitely” be his last, adding a sense of urgency to his performance in the tournament. As Portugal prepares to compete, the team will be looking to leverage their captain’s experience and skill, despite the recent controversy surrounding his suspension.

Ultimately, Ronaldo’s eligibility for the World Cup represents a crucial moment for both him and the Portuguese national team as they aim for success on the international stage.