Cristiano Ronaldo is staring at a possible long-term suspension after receiving a straight red card in Portugal’s 2–0 loss to Ireland in Dublin, raising concerns about his availability for upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
The veteran forward was dismissed just after the hour mark following a VAR consultation, which concluded that his challenge on Dara O’Shea met the threshold for violent conduct. The referee immediately upgraded the initial decision to a straight red.
Per FIFA’s disciplinary regulations, any player deemed guilty of violent conduct is subject to a minimum suspension of three matches, with the possibility of a longer ban depending on the severity of the offence. These offences cover actions such as kicking, elbowing, striking, or any form of assault on an opponent.
Early reports suggest Ronaldo could miss Sunday’s crucial qualifier against Armenia, along with two further matches, which may include the opening fixtures of what is expected to be his final World Cup campaign.
Should Portugal be forced into the play-offs, his suspension would instead take effect during those decisive knockout games, placing added pressure on the national team’s qualification hopes.
The ultimate verdict will be made by FIFA’s disciplinary committee, which will review match footage, the referee’s report, and any submissions from the Portuguese Football Federation before issuing a ruling.
Ronaldo’s dismissal capped a frustrating evening for Portugal, who were already trailing after Troy Parrott’s 17th-minute header. Parrott struck again just before halftime, sealing an unexpected and disappointing result for Roberto Martínez’s side.
Source: Wesleyannews.com
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