Cristiano Ronaldo is set to remain available for Portugal at the upcoming World Cup, despite being sent off in a qualifier for elbowing an Ireland player.
FIFA released its disciplinary decision on Tuesday, handing the Portuguese star a three-match suspension for what was deemed “violent conduct” or “serious foul play.” However, two of those matches have been placed under a one-year probation period, significantly reducing the immediate impact of the ban.
Ronaldo has already served the automatic one-game suspension during Portugal’s final qualifier — a 9-1 victory over Armenia that confirmed its World Cup berth. Many had anticipated that he would miss at least one more match and potentially begin his record sixth World Cup on the bench.
FIFA stated that its rules allow portions of a suspension to be conditional, though it is unusual for two matches of a three-game ban to be deferred. Earlier this month, players from Armenia and Burundi received full three-match bans for similar offenses, without any probation reduction.
According to FIFA, the remaining two suspended games will be enforced if Ronaldo commits another comparable offense during the probation period.
With FIFA overseeing national-team disciplinary matters, Portugal is set for two friendlies in March followed by warmup matches in late May or June, ahead of the World Cup’s June 11 kickoff in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Ronaldo was shown red two weeks ago for striking Ireland defender Dara O’Shea with his elbow during Portugal’s 2-0 defeat in Dublin.
Messi leads Inter Miami to first-ever Conference Final with 4-0 win over Cincinnati
VIP context
The disciplinary ruling comes shortly after Ronaldo attended a formal White House dinner with U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman. FIFA president Gianni Infantino was also present and took a selfie with Ronaldo.
Ronaldo has spent the last three years playing in the Saudi league for a club majority owned by the country’s Public Investment Fund. Saudi Arabia, a major FIFA financial supporter in recent years, is set to host the 2034 World Cup.
Appeal options
FIFA noted that the three-match ban can be appealed to the FIFA Appeal Committee, though it remains unclear who might have the standing to challenge the ruling — possibly Ireland’s football association or one of Portugal’s future World Cup opponents.
Trump is expected to attend the Dec. 5 draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., where Portugal, seeded among the top teams in the expanded 48-nation tournament, will learn its group-stage opponents.
Source: AP