Cristiano Ronaldo is free to play in the World Cup next summer after FIFA suspended his red card punishment – but Portugal’s rivals could yet take the legal route to overturn that decision
FIFA could face legal action from those drawn to face Portugal in the World Cup after Cristiano Ronaldo was freed to play in next summer’s tournament despite having two more matches to serve on his suspension.
Football’s governing body took the unprecedented step of suspending the final two games of a three-match ban that was given to the Al-Nassr star after he was sent off for elbowing Ireland’s Dara O’Shea in a qualifier earlier this month in Dublin.
In any normal circumstance Ronaldo would’ve had to sit out the first two games of the World Cup – which will be the last one he will ever play in. It is understood that FIFA took into account his previous good behaviour and the fact it was his first-ever international red card.
But the 40-year-old is now free to prepare for the World Cup after only missing Portugal’s final World Cup qualifier – a 9-1 win over Armenia. The Daily Mail report that those who will end up facing Portugal, which will be determined in the draw next Friday in Washington DC, could consider taking the issue to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Their motivation would be overturn the controversial suspension and uphold the original punishment – meaning they face Portugal minus Ronaldo.
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FIFA’s unusual act is likely to put a number of other nations on alert. They may have players who will miss matches due to suspensions, and have not received the type of treatment afforded to Ronaldo. Those with knowledge of the situation claim teams could have a case if they are directly affected by the decision.
They would need to prove that their chances of qualifying from the group would be reduced if Ronaldo, who scored five goals in qualification and is the most prolific player in the history of international football, was allowed to play against them.
The World Cup is being held in North America, predominantly in the United States, and the decision to suspend Ronaldo’s red card punishment came days after Ronaldo was a guest of president Donald Trump in the White House.
FIFA’s disciplinary code states that a player should serve “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”.
Equally Article 27 of the code states that a FIFA judicial committee can “fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.”
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