Outspoken broadcaster Piers Morgan has launched a fierce defence of Cristiano Ronaldo, labelling the decision to send the football icon off during Portugal's match against the Republic of Ireland as "ridiculous".
The controversial incident occurred on the hour mark in Dublin, with Portugal already trailing 2-0 in their 2026 World Cup qualifier at the Aviva Stadium. Ronaldo was shown a straight red card for an elbow on Irish defender Dara O'Shea.
The Controversial Incident and Immediate Fallout
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system reviewed the altercation, and the on-field decision was upheld, leading to the Al Nassr forward's dismissal. This sending-off places the 40-year-old former Manchester United star in serious danger of missing the start of the 2026 World Cup in the United States.
Morgan, who famously conducted a headline-grabbing interview with Ronaldo, took to social media platform X to voice his strong objections. He posted a clear verdict on the situation, writing: "Ridiculous that Ronaldo was sent off for resisting someone pulling his shirt back."
To bolster his argument, Morgan shared a clip of a similar incident involving Lionel Messi, claiming a double standard. He stated, "When Messi did exactly the same recently, nothing was done."
Manager's Verdict and World Cup Implications
Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson provided his own account of the event, revealing an unexpected post-match exchange with the dismissed superstar. "He [Ronaldo] complimented me for putting pressure on the referee," Hallgrimsson disclosed.
However, the manager was quick to deflect responsibility for the red card, adding, "But listen, it had nothing to do with me, it was his action on the pitch that cost him a red card. It had nothing to do with me, unless I got into his head."
The consequences of the red card are severe. With only one World Cup group stage qualifier remaining against Armenia, a suspension of more than one match would see Ronaldo suspended for the start of next summer's tournament.
The severity of the ban is yet to be confirmed by football's governing bodies, though a straight red card typically carries an automatic three-match suspension. Portugal's fate now hinges on their final match; a victory against Armenia would secure automatic qualification, while a draw or defeat would force Roberto Martinez's side into a precarious two-legged play-off to reach the 2026 World Cup.
