Cristiano Ronaldo is in danger of missing at least Portugal’s opening match at next year’s World Cup after picking up a red card in Thursday’s 2-0 loss to Ireland.
Ronaldo was initially shown a yellow card after 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 an on-field video monitor.
“When he tries to get away from the defender, I think the action looks worse than it actually is,” Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said. “I don’t think it’s an elbow, I think it’s a whole 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 host Armenia on Sunday. Portugal, who still lead Hungary by two points in Group F, can clinch a place in next year’s World Cup with a win.
But FIFA’s disciplinary rules say a ban of at least two matches is required for “serious foul play” and of at least three matches for “violent behaviour” or for “an appropriate period of time for assault, including elbowing”.
Pre-World Cup appearances do not count towards serving a potential ban and it could be three weeks before FIFA makes a ruling.
It is the first red card Ronaldo has received in the record 226 games he has played for Portugal.
“He’s just a captain who has never been sent off before in 226 games,” Martinez said. “I think it was a bit tough because he cares about the team.”
Ronaldo is looking to reach his sixth World Cup.
