Ronaldo is the captain of Portugal
FIFA’s decision to drastically reduce Cristiano Ronaldo’s suspension has triggered a wave of frustration across international football, with several prospective World Cup opponents now considering legal action at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
What began as a routine disciplinary case has spiralled into one of the most contentious pre-World Cup controversies in recent memory.
Ronaldo, sent off earlier this month for elbowing Ireland defender Dara O’Shea during a heated qualifier in Dublin, was widely expected to serve a three-match ban, the standard punishment for violent conduct.
After VAR review confirmed the intentional elbow and the forward further provoked the home crowd with mocking gestures, the expectation of a lengthy suspension seemed certain.
Ronaldo’s World Cup Reprieve: Special treatment or fair decision?
Instead, FIFA stunned observers by issuing only a one-match ban, suspending the remaining two games for a year. Because Ronaldo had already missed Portugal’s final qualifier against Armenia, he is effectively free to play all group matches at the 2026 World Cup.
The decision has triggered accusations of preferential treatment, with critics pointing to recent images of Ronaldo dining with US President Donald Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the White House. While FIFA insists its disciplinary committee is “completely independent,” the optics have fuelled the backlash.
According to the Daily Mail, nations drawn into Portugal’s World Cup group could file a CAS petition aimed at reinstating the original three-match ban. To succeed, they would need to prove two things: that Ronaldo’s participation materially affects competitive fairness, and that FIFA misapplied its discretionary powers when issuing the suspended sentence.
Legal experts, however, suggest the path will be difficult. Article 27 of FIFA’s disciplinary code explicitly allows the committee to “fully or partially suspend the enforcement of disciplinary measures,” giving FIFA broad freedom in such decisions.
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