REUTERS
Cristiano Ronaldo is at risk of missing Portugal’s opening match at next year’s World Cup after being shown a red card in Thursday’s 2-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland.
Ronaldo was initially booked for elbowing Ireland defender Dara O’Shea during the match in Dublin, but the caution was upgraded to a red card after the referee reviewed the incident on the pitch-side monitor. The dismissal marked the first red card of Ronaldo’s international career.
“When he tries to get away from the defender, the action looks worse than it actually is,” Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said. “I don’t think it’s an elbow; it’s more of a full-body movement. But from the camera angle, it looks like an elbow. We accept it. It could be a red card, but for the right reasons.”
Ronaldo will serve a mandatory one-match suspension when Portugal hosts Armenia on Sunday. Portugal leads Group F by two points ahead of Hungary and can secure qualification for the World Cup with a win.
However, FIFA disciplinary regulations stipulate a minimum two-match ban for “serious foul play” and at least three matches for “violent conduct,” including incidents involving elbowing. Any pre-World Cup friendly matches would not count toward serving a suspension, and FIFA’s disciplinary ruling could take up to three weeks.
Ronaldo’s red card comes in his 226th appearance for Portugal.
“He is a captain who has never been sent off before in 226 games,” Martinez added. “I think it was a bit harsh because he cares about the team.”
Ronaldo is aiming to qualify for his sixth World Cup.
