Geneva, Nov 26: Cristiano Ronaldo will likely avoid missing any Portugal games at the World Cup despite his red card in a qualifying game for elbowing an Ireland opponent during a 2-0 loss in Dublin.
FIFA published a disciplinary verdict that imposed a three-game ban, which judged Ronaldo’s action as “violent conduct” or “serious foul play,” but with two of those games deferred for a one-year probation period.
Ronaldo served a mandatory one-game ban when Portugal played its final qualifying game last week – a 9-1 win over Armenia that sealed its place at the World Cup in North America.
The Portugal superstar had been expected to be banned for at least one more game and start what will be his record sixth World Cup on the sidelines. (AP)
