Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal still crying about red card as they tackle ‘World Cup ban’

Cristiano Ronaldo was shown a straight red card during Portugal’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying defeat against the Republic of Ireland and now they are set to appeal

Portuguese football authorities are set to appeal to FIFA in a bid to reduce Cristiano Ronaldo’s expected three-match ban, hoping to prevent the star from missing out on World Cup action.

The Manchester United and Real Madrid legend, now with Saudi side Al-Nassr, was given a straight red during Portugal’s shock 2-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Thursday. Ronaldo was sent off after a VAR review showed him elbowing Ireland’s Dara O’Shea, an act typically deemed as violent conduct and warranting a three-match suspension in competitive matches.

That would mean the 40-year-old forward will be absent for Portugal’s final World Cup qualifier against Armenia this Sunday. If Portugal triumph, securing their place in the tournament, Ronaldo is expected to miss the first two games at the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer.

However, Portuguese officials are building a case to challenge this. According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) plans to request FIFA to lessen Ronaldo’s ban to just one match, citing three key factors.

They’ll highlight the hostile atmosphere in Dublin, which they attribute to comments made by Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson ahead of the crucial match, reports the Mirror.

Hallgrimsson had previously claimed Ronaldo ‘controlled the referee’ during their previous encounter, which Portugal won 1-0. The FPF will also argue Ronaldo’s reaction was borne out of frustration after being grabbed by O’Shea during the incident leading to the red card.

Finally, they will contend Ronaldo’s disciplinary record at international level – having escaped a red card in his previous 225 caps – must be taken into account. FPF president Pedro Proenca is said to be directly involved in the process.

Ronaldo has already departed the Portuguese camp and won’t be in Porto when his team-mates take on Armenia.

Portugal boss Roberto Martinez showed understanding for him, commenting after Thursday’s defeat: “I thought it was a bit harsh because he cares about the team.

“He was almost 60 minutes in the box being grabbed, pulled, pushed and obviously he tries to get away from the defender. I think the action looks worse than what it actually is.

“I don’t think it’s an elbow, I think it’s a full body, but from where the camera is, it looks like an elbow. But we accept it.”

Martinez added: “The only thing that leaves a bitter taste in my mouth is at the press conference yesterday, Ireland coach was talking about the aspect of the referees being influenced, and then a big centre-half falls on the floor so dramatically at the turn of Cristiano’s body.”