Cristiano Ronaldo has been cleared to play Portugal’s opening matches at next year’s World Cup after FIFA suspended the remaining two games of his three-match ban.
The Portugal captain had been sent off in the side’s penultimate qualifying match against Ireland in Dublin earlier this month for an elbow into the back of Dara OShea during a 2 to 0 defeat. The dismissal, upgraded from a yellow card following a VAR check, was the first red card of his international career in 226 appearances.
Ronaldo missed Portugal’s final group game, a 9 to 1 win over Armenia that secured qualification. FIFA later confirmed that the forty year old had received a three match ban, but the governing body opted to suspend the final two games unless he reoffends.
“In line with article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the serving of the two remaining matches has been suspended under a one year probation period,” FIFA said in a statement.
The organisation added that “If Cristiano Ronaldo commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension set out in the disciplinary decision shall be deemed automatically revoked and the remaining two matches must be served immediately at the next official match(es) of the Portuguese representative team.”
Article 27 allows FIFA’s judicial body “to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure”. FIFA did not explain why it chose to suspend the ban, and Reuters said it has contacted the organisation for clarification.
Ronaldo, who extended his contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr until 2027 in June, is set to compete in his sixth World Cup as he continues to chase the only major trophy missing from his career. The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward has already won Euro 2016, two Nations League titles, and is the all time top scorer in international football with 143 goals.
The draw for the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico will take place on December 5 in Washington.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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