Ronaldo risks ban at World Cup after 1st Portugal red card
Baku, November 14, AZERTAC
Cristiano Ronaldo is at serious risk of being banned for at least the first game of the 2026 World Cup after being shown a red card for the first time in his record-setting international career as Portugal slumped to a 2-0 loss to the Republic of Ireland, according to the ESPN.
Ronaldo was shown his marching orders for violent conduct in the 61st minute after elbowing Ireland defender Dara O'Shea away from the ball. After an initial yellow card, the referee was urged to review the incident on the pitchside monitor by the video assistant referee and upgraded the decision to a red card.
It marked Ronaldo's first red card for Portugal in what was his 226th appearance, a record in men's international soccer. He has been sent off 13 times at club level.
The Al Nassr forward will serve a mandatory one-game ban imposed for any red card when Portugal host Armenia on Sunday knowing a win will secure a place at the World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
FIFA disciplinary rules require its judges to impose a ban of "at least two matches for serious foul play."
The ban should be "at least three matches for violent conduct" or "at least three matches or an appropriate period of time for assault, including elbowing."
A FIFA ban would apply to competitive games and could not be served in pre-tournament exhibitions.
Portugal coach Roberto Martínez came to Ronaldo's defense following the game.
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