DUBLIN: Cristiano Ronaldo is at risk of missing at least Portugal’s opening match at next year’s World Cup following his red card in Thursday’s 2-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland in Dublin. The 39-year-old forward, initially cautioned for elbowing defender Dara O’Shea, saw his yellow upgraded to a straight red after the referee reviewed the incident on a pitch-side monitor — marking the first sending-off of his 226-game international career.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez defended his captain, saying the challenge appeared more severe due to camera angles. “When he tries to get away from the defender, I think the action looks worse than what it actually is,” he said. “I don’t think it’s an elbow… but from where the camera is, it looks like an elbow. We accept it.”
Ronaldo will serve an automatic one-game suspension when Portugal hosts Armenia on Sunday, a match in which a win would secure their place at the World Cup as they hold a two-point lead over Hungary in Group F.
However, the consequences could be far more significant. FIFA regulations stipulate a minimum two-match ban for serious foul play and at least three matches for violent conduct — including incidents of elbowing. Crucially, any pre-World Cup friendlies would not count toward the suspension, meaning Ronaldo’s fate may directly impact Portugal’s tournament start.
A final decision from FIFA could take up to three weeks, leaving Portugal anxiously waiting to learn whether their all-time top scorer will be available for the World Cup kickoff.
