Will Cristiano Ronaldo miss the first two games of the World Cup after Ireland red card?
Ronaldo had a night to forget in Dublin
Cristiano Ronaldo could miss the first two games of next year’s World Cup following his red card against the Republic of Ireland last night.
The setback means Portugal missed the chance to qualify last night and must now beat Armenia on Sunday to guarantee themselves a place in the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer.
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What happens to Ronaldo?
If Portugal do qualify automatically then Ronaldo is set to miss the first two games at the finals.
Fifa’s disciplinary code, chapter two, Article 14(i) states: “Players and officials shall be suspended for misconduct as specified below… at least three matches or an appropriate period of time for assault, including elbowing, punching, kicking, biting, spitting or hitting an opponent or a person other than a match official”.
The Al-Nassr striker will sit out the Armenia game and Portugal’s next two competitive fixtures, which will be at the World Cup if they win at the weekend.
Should Portugal lose against Armenia – the prospect of that is highly unlikely given they sit bottom of Group F with one win from five games – and Hungary beat Ireland then Portugal will drop into the play-offs. Ronaldo’s suspension would be served in those games, freeing him up to play at the World Cup on the assumption Portugal advance.
What provoked Ronaldo?
The 40-year-old had suffered a frustrating night, failing to get the better of the Ireland centre-halves.
He then lashed out at O’Shea when the pair jostled inside the Ireland penalty area. O’Shea went to ground which prompted Ronaldo to mock the Ipswich Town defender, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner rubbing his eyes in a pretend crying gesture.
Referee Glenn Nyberg initially issued a yellow card but was called over to the pitchside monitor by the VAR for a second look. He then showed Ronaldo a red.
Ronaldo didn’t take the decision well, sarcastically showing a thumbs up and applauding the Dublin crowd, who in turn enjoyed repeating his eye-rubbing gesture.
As he walked off, Ronaldo also made a bee-line for Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson to express his frustration.
What did the coaches say afterwards?
Asked what Ronaldo had said to him as he departed the scene, Hallgrimsson said: “He complimented me for putting pressure on the referee.
“It was his action on the pitch that cost him the red card. It had nothing to do with me – unless I got into his head.”
Martinez was also unhappy with Hallgrimsson, who used his pre-match press conference to suggest Ronaldo had “controlled the referee” in the reverse fixture which Portugal won 1-0 thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Ruben Neves.
The Portugal boss said: “The red card is just a captain that has never been sent off before in 226 games – I think that just deserves credit – and today, I thought it was a bit harsh because he cares about the team.
“He was 60 minutes or 58 minutes in the box being grabbed, being pulled, being pushed and obviously when he tries to get away from the defender…
“I think the action looks worse than what it actually is, I don’t think it’s an elbow, I think it’s a full body, but from where the camera is, it looks like an elbow. But we accept it.
“The only thing that leaves a bitter taste in my mouth is at the press conference yesterday, your coach was talking about the aspect of the referees being influenced, and then a big centre-half falls on the floor so dramatically at the turn of Cristiano’s body.”