The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) is mounting a vigorous defence of Cristiano Ronaldo, launching a formal appeal against his red card suspension in a bid to ensure the global superstar is available for Portugal's opening match at the next World Cup.
The Controversial Incident in Dublin
During Portugal's recent 2-0 World Cup qualifier defeat against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin, the match took a dramatic turn. On the hour mark at the Aviva Stadium, Cristiano Ronaldo was shown a straight red card after an altercation with Irish defender Dara O'Shea, which involved the Portuguese forward lashing out with an elbow.
This dismissal resulted in an automatic suspension, forcing the 40-year-old to sit out Portugal's subsequent 9-1 thrashing of Armenia. While that emphatic victory secured their qualification for the finals in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, the longer-term consequences of the red card remain a serious concern for the national team.
The Stakes for the World Cup
The immediate worry for Portugal is the potential length of Ronaldo's ban. A straight red card typically carries a multiple-game suspension. If FIFA upholds a standard punishment, Ronaldo would miss Portugal's opening two matches at the World Cup next summer, a significant blow to their campaign.
In a strategic move to prevent this outcome, the FPF, as reported by Portuguese outlet A Bola, is preparing to file a complaint with world football's governing body. Their primary objective is to argue that the ban should only cover the Armenia qualifier he has already missed, thereby clearing him for the World Cup's first game.
Portugal's Three-Pronged Defence
The FPF's appeal is not a simple plea but a structured defence built on three core arguments. FPF president Pedro Proenca is said to be directly involved in the process.
Firstly, the federation will point to the hostile environment at the Aviva Stadium, allegedly exacerbated by comments from Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson. The Icelandic manager had previously claimed that Ronaldo 'dominated the referee' in an earlier encounter between the teams.
Secondly, the defence will contend that Ronaldo was provoked immediately before the incident, citing O'Shea's shirt-grabbing as a key factor that led to his reaction.
Finally, and perhaps most compellingly, the appeal will seek goodwill based on Ronaldo's exemplary disciplinary record at international level. This red card was his first in 226 appearances for his country, a remarkable span of service they hope will count in his favour.
The coming days will be crucial as FIFA considers the appeal, a decision that could define Portugal's start to the global tournament.
