LISBON (PORTUGAL) (ITALPRESS) – The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) is reportedly preparing a complaint to FIFA seeking a minimum one-match ban for Cristiano Ronaldo following the red card he received in the 2-0 defeat to Ireland in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match.
According to A Bola, FPF president Pedro Proença is directly involved in defending the Portuguese captain and preparing the strategy that will be presented to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, which is expected to decide on the matter at its meeting scheduled after the current 2026 World Cup qualifying break.
Ronaldo’s defense is based on three points: the hostile environment created in Dublin, with reference to previous statements by the Irish coach according to which CR7 influenced the referee in the first leg in Portugal; the fact that Ronaldo was clearly held back during the contact; and the absence of any disciplinary record, this being his first expulsion in 226 international matches.
If FIFA accepts the federation’s request, Ronaldo will only miss the qualification-deciding match against Armenia, thus preventing the suspension from extending to the first matches of the 2026 World Cup finals.
-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).
