FIFA could face legal action over decision to reduce Cristiano Ronaldo's suspension: Report
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Many opponents could go to CAS to appeal for Ronaldo’s ban.
FIFA may be sued following their contentious decision to lift Cristiano Ronaldo’s ban and permit him to participate in Portugal’s first two 2026 FIFA World Cup matches.
The governing body had taken the remarkable step of postponing the final two games of the 40-year-old superstar’s three-match suspension after he was sent off for elbowing Ireland’s Dara O’Shea in a World Cup qualifier a few weeks ago. This bold move has drawn harsh criticism.
Though it undoubtedly wasn’t a great surprise, it raised some eyebrows. Despite receiving a red card against the Republic of Ireland, Cristiano Ronaldo is still eligible to play for Portugal in their initial World Cup games.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s elbowing of Dara O’Shea during Portugal’s 2-0 qualification loss earlier this month should have resulted in a three-match ban under FIFA’s disciplinary code for violent behaviour.
FIFA reveals reason for reducing Cristiano Ronaldo’s two-match ban
However, FIFA’s disciplinary committee stated that it considered the fact that he had played 225 international games without receiving a red card.
In the last qualifying match against Armenia, Cristiano Ronaldo completed one match. Only if he “commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period” will the other two become active.
It remains to be seen if there is a desire to choose such a path. It’s possible that other nations whose players may miss games because of sanctions that haven’t been substantially reduced are keeping an eye on the issue.
According to people with knowledge of the matter, any party who feels wronged would have to prove that they are directly impacted by the ruling and that there is a legal interest deserving of protection.
How many match bans has Cristiano Ronaldo received?
He has received only one match ban.
Why did he receive only one ban?
FIFA’s disciplinary committee stated that it considered the fact that he had played 225 international games without receiving a red card.
Will he play in the next games?
Yes. Including the opening games of the 2026 World Cup.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.