Ronaldo risks ban at World Cup after red card for elbowing Ireland defender in qualifying game
Knowing that if Portugal hosts Armenia on Sunday, the victory will ensure a place in the World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, Ronaldo will impose a mandatory one-match ban in case of any red card.
FIFA disciplinary rules require referees to impose bans of “at least two matches for serious foul play”.
The ban must be “at least three matches for violent conduct” or “at least three matches or an appropriate period for assault, including elbowing”.
A FIFA ban would apply to competitive play and not to pre-tournament demonstrations. While waiting for the ball to pass around the hour mark at the Aviva Stadium, where Ireland surprisingly took a 2-0 lead, Ronaldo turned and thrust his right elbow into O’Shea’s back. The referee gave a yellow card, but minutes later changed the yellow card to red following a video review on the pitchside monitor.
Ronaldo curled his lips into a mocking expression as he walked off the pitch, taunted and jeered by the Irish fans.
He stopped and looked at the fans, clapping his hands towards them and giving two thumbs up in an apparent mocking gesture.
Ronaldo, who will turn 41 in February, aims to play in his record sixth World Cup tournament.
The draw for the tournament will take place on December 5 in Washington DC and Portugal, if they qualify, will learn their schedule of three group stage opponents.
Ireland striker Troy Parrott scored twice in the first half on Thursday to revive Ireland’s hopes of possibly qualifying for the play-offs ahead of meeting second-placed Hungary on Sunday.
Portugal is the leader in Group F with 10 points, two points ahead of Hungary. Ireland is in third place with 7 points.
