The heads of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) are swiftly preparing to contest FIFA’s decision regarding Cristiano Ronaldo’s three-match suspension. This ban puts the 40-year-old’s participation in the initial games of his sixth World Cup at risk this upcoming summer.
Ronaldo received a red card during Portugal’s 2-0 loss to the Republic of Ireland on Thursday, penalized for elbowing Irish defender Dara O’Shea as assessed by VAR.
World Cup Qualifiers in Jeopardy
If verified, the suspension would render Ronaldo unavailable for Portugal’s final World Cup qualifier on Sunday against Armenia. Should Roberto Martinez’s squad triumph and advance directly from Group F, he would also miss the first two matches of the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Conversely, if Portugal falters and must proceed to playoffs, the ban would extend into those critical matches.
FPF’s Multi-Faceted Defense Strategy
A Bola conveys that the FPF is formulating a structured appeal to FIFA aimed at reducing the suspension to merely one match. Their case rests on three main elements:
- The alleged unfriendly atmosphere at the Aviva Stadium, fueled by provocative statements made by Ireland’s coach Heimir Hallgrimsson prior to the match.
- Evidence of physical confrontations between O’Shea and Ronaldo leading up to the red card, arguing Ronaldo reacted instinctively after persistent contact.
- The focus on Ronaldo’s pristine disciplinary record, with 225 caps devoid of any red cards, indicating that Thursday’s action was anomalous and not intended to harm.
Pedro Proenca, the president of FPF, is directly involved in drafting the appeal, highlighting its significance to the federation.
Defense from Coach Martinez
Following the game in Dublin, Martinez defended his captain stating, “The red card is just a captain that has never been sent off before in 226 games…” He elaborated that Ronaldo had been tackled throughout the match, suggesting that the incident was misinterpreted. He also referred to Ronaldo’s upbeat demeanor in response to the crowd and the officiating.
Ronaldo left the game with a sarcastic thumbs-up gesture as a reaction to the negative crowd response. Hallgrimsson later recounted his exchange with Ronaldo, clarifying that the red card stemmed from the player’s actions and not due to undue influence during the match.
Awaiting FIFA’s Verdict
As of now, FIFA has not communicated when they will make a ruling on the suspension. Traditionally, disciplinary decision announcements occur around three weeks post the international window. With no immediate playoffs for the World Cup until March, this case may not be treated as urgent. Portugal currently leads Group F, two points ahead of Hungary, knowing that a victory against Armenia would secure their spot for next year’s World Cup, amidst the uncertain fate of their renowned captain.
