Earlier this week, Ronaldo introduced subsequent yr’s World Cup could be his last main event, however now he’s prone to miss the beginning of it.
The pink card he obtained mechanically carries a one-match suspension, ruling him out of Sunday’s essential qualifier towards Armenia.
However violent conduct nearly at all times carries an prolonged suspension and the additional video games would solely be served in aggressive fixtures.
If Portugal get the win they want towards Armenia to qualify immediately, their subsequent aggressive match could be their opening group sport on the World Cup.
If the unlikely occurs and Portugal do drop into the play-offs, the 40-year-old would sit out the semi-final and maybe the ultimate.
However what number of video games will Ronaldo get? That’s within the arms of Fifa’s disciplinary committee.
Technically, Fifa might decide to not lengthen Ronaldo’s ban in any respect, which means he wouldn’t be prone to lacking the beginning of the event.
Nonetheless, Fifa disciplinary code states {that a} pink card for “assault, together with elbowing, punching, kicking, biting, spitting or hitting an opponent” ought to carry a three-match suspension. That will see Ronaldo miss Portugal’s first two World Cup group video games or each play-off matches.
Nevertheless it’s not fairly so simple as that, as Fifa judges these issues on a case-by-case foundation.
As an illustration, on the 2023 Ladies’s World Cup, England ahead Lauren James was given two matches for stamping on the again of Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie.
So, Ronaldo needs to be banned for 3 video games, however he would possibly solely obtain a two-match suspension.
This text is the newest from BBC Sport’s Ask Me Something crew.
