Ronaldo’s Red Card Controversy: A Precedent for FIFA’s Discipline

Cristiano Ronaldo vowed to be a “good boy” ahead of Portugal’s World Cup qualifier against Ireland in Dublin on November 13. However, just over an hour into the match, with Portugal trailing 2-0 to Troy Parrott’s goals, the frustrated forward elbowed Dara O’Shea in the back. Initially shown a yellow card, Ronaldo’s punishment was upgraded to a red after VAR intervention.

As is often the case with Ronaldo, he quickly shifted blame. Upon reaching the tunnel at the Aviva Stadium, he suggested that O’Shea had exaggerated the incident with a theatrical gesture and later bizarrely accused Ireland’s manager, Heimir Hallgrimsson, of influencing the referee during a heated exchange.

Hallgrimsson remarked, “He complimented me for putting pressure on the referee,” adding that it was Ronaldo’s actions on the pitch that warranted the red card.

Typically, a red card for violent conduct entails an automatic three-match suspension. This should have meant that Ronaldo would miss Portugal’s final World Cup qualifier against Armenia on November 16 and their first two matches in the tournament. The foul was a clear case of serious misconduct.

However, Portugal’s coach, Roberto Martinez, initially downplayed the severity, claiming the action looked worse than it was, and later suggested Ronaldo deserved “credit” for never having been sent off at the international level. This rationale formed the basis for Portugal’s appeal against the suspension, which astonishingly succeeded.

FIFA’s disciplinary committee announced that the final two matches of Ronaldo’s suspension would be suspended for a year, contingent on him not committing similar infractions during that period. Should he do so, the remaining matches would take effect immediately.

This unprecedented decision, while shocking, was not entirely surprising. The reality is that FIFA was unlikely to sideline one of the world’s most prominent athletes from its flagship event. Ronaldo’s significance to the brand was underscored by his appearance at a recent White House dinner alongside Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and U.S. President Donald Trump.

FIFA’s decisions appear to prioritize commercial interests, evident in how the organization has expanded World Cup participation to 48 teams, accommodating nations with larger TV audiences despite potential quality dilution. Additionally, there was an attempt to include Ronaldo in the Club World Cup by facilitating a short-term transfer to one of the teams.

Coinciding with Ronaldo’s reprieve, FIFA announced that top-seeded countries—Spain, Argentina, France, and England—would be kept apart until the semi-finals, echoing UEFA’s earlier strategies to protect major fanbase nations from early exits.

This raises the pertinent question: If a system works, why alter it?

There may be room for national federations or players to challenge the precedent set by Ronaldo’s case, potentially impacting future appeals against suspensions for violent conduct. This could lead to further complications in FIFA’s disciplinary practices.

Despite global outrage over the preferential treatment shown to Ronaldo, such discontent is likely to be overshadowed by the excitement leading up to the World Cup, which begins with the group-stage draw in Washington D.C. on December 5. In essence, FIFA has ignored its own regulations to cater to one high-profile athlete. Ronaldo now holds the responsibility to maintain his commitment to being a ‘good boy’ moving forward.