Cristiano Ronaldo is in danger of missing at least Portugal’s opening match at next year’s World Cup after receiving a red card in Thursday’s 2-0 defeat by the Republic of Ireland.
Ronaldo was initially booked for elbowing Ireland defender Dara O’Shea during the match in Dublin.
However, it was upgraded to a red card and Ronaldo was sent off for the first time in his international career after the referee reviewed the contact on a pitch-side video screen.
“When he tries to get away from the defender, I think the action looks worse than it really is,” Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said. “I don’t think it’s an elbow, I think it’s full body. But from where the camera is, it looks like an elbow. We accept it.
It could be a red card, but for the right reasons.”
Ronaldo will serve his mandatory one-match ban when Portugal play Armenia on Sunday. Portugal, who still lead Hungary by two points in Group F, can clinch a place at next year’s World Cup with a win.
However, FIFA’s disciplinary rules state that a ban of at least two matches is required for “serious foul play” and at least three matches for “violent conduct” or for “an appropriate period of time for an attack, including an elbow”.
Reports before the World Cup do not count towards assessing a possible ban and it could take up to three weeks for FIFA to issue a verdict.
It is Ronaldo’s first red card in 226 games for Portugal.
“He’s just a captain who’s never been sent off before in 226 games,” Martinez said. “I think it was a bit harsh because he cares about the team.”
Ronaldo is aiming for a sixth World Cup.
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