Cristiano Ronaldo was in danger of a ban at the start of the World Cup after a red card incident in qualifying. In the end, however, he received good news. There is no obstacle for the Portuguese star to play for Portugal in the first match of the World Cup.
Ronaldo, 40, received a straight red card for elbowing Dara O'Shea in the back in Portugal's 2-0 qualifier defeat to Ireland earlier this month. Aggressive conduct normally carries a three-match ban, but his second and third match bans were suspended for one year.
According to the BBC, this was Ronaldo's first red card in 226 international matches. This is taken into account in reducing the sentence.
He has already served a one-match ban against Armenia in the qualifiers on November 16. As a result, the Portuguese captain does not have to miss any match in the World Cup to be held in the United States.
“If Ronaldo commits a similarly serious offense within the specified period, the suspension will be automatically lifted and the remaining two-match ban will take effect immediately,” FIFA said in a statement.
Ronaldo scored five goals in the qualifiers. His side also secured their place in the World Cup for the seventh time in a row by topping Group 'F'.
