Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off for Portugal in the loss to the Republic of Ireland in November; the Portugal captain has been given a three-match ban but two of those games are suspended for one year; Ronaldo will play at the start of Portugal's World Cup so long as he does not re-offend
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to avoid a ban for the start of Portugal's World Cup campaign despite his red card against the Republic of Ireland.
A FIFA disciplinary committee has imposed a three-match ban, but the final two games are suspended for one year provided there is no similar infringement during the probation period.
Ronaldo was shown a red card after appearing to swing an elbow at Ireland defender Dara O'Shea during a World Cup qualifier earlier this month. He has already served the one-match suspension, in Portugal's final qualifier against Armenia.
Should Ronaldo commit another offence of a similar nature, the two matches will be automatically activated for the next official matches for the Portugal national team, which are set to be the opening two World Cup group games.
A FIFA statement said: "In line with article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the serving of the two remaining matches has been suspended under a one-year probation period. If Cristiano Ronaldo commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension set out in the disciplinary decision shall be deemed automatically revoked and the remaining two matches must be served immediately at the next official match(es) of the Portuguese representative team.
"This is without prejudice to any additional sanctions imposed for the new infringement. The three-match suspension is subject to appeal to the FIFA Appeal Committee."
The decision comes days after Ronaldo attended a black tie dinner at the White House alongside US President Donald Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Under normal circumstances, Ronaldo should be suspended for Portugal's first two World Cup games, but there is nothing normal about the Portugal superstar.
Ronaldo's legion of fans will say it is only right that their hero is being treated differently from everyone else. After all, his red card was the first time he had been sent off in 226 internationals. Others will say rules are rules. Serious foul play should mean a two-match ban and violent conduct means a three-match ban.