Cristiano Ronaldo is facing a lengthy suspension after being dismissed during Portugal’s 2–0 defeat to Ireland in Dublin.
The forward was shown a straight red card just past the hour mark following a VAR review that judged his contact with Dara O’Shea to be violent conduct.
Under FIFA’s regulations for serious offences, players found guilty of violent conduct face “at least three matches or an appropriate period of time for assault, including elbowing, punching, kicking, biting, spitting or hitting an opponent.”
Reports indicate the minimum sanction could rule him out of Sunday’s qualifier against Armenia and potentially two additional fixtures.
In that scenario, Ronaldo might sit out the opening games of the World Cup in what will be his final appearance on the global stage.
If Portugal drop into the play-offs, however, his suspension will apply during those knockout ties instead.
The final decision will rest with FIFA’s disciplinary committee, which will review the incident in full.
His sending-off overshadowed a disappointing night for the Portuguese, who had already fallen behind in the 17th minute when Troy Parrott headed Ireland in front before Parrott struck again on the stroke of halftime.
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