? After violent conduct in qualifiers, FIFA hand Ronaldo surprise ban

? After violent conduct in qualifiers, FIFA hand Ronaldo surprise ban

Cristiano Ronaldo has just been sanctioned by FIFA's Disciplinary Committee following his outburst during the World Cup qualifier against Ireland on November 13.

The final decision apparently allows him to participate in the World Cup opener, with the superstar getting off with a strict disciplinary warning.

"The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has suspended Cristiano Ronaldo for three matches following his straight red card in the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage match between the Republic of Ireland and Portugal, which took place on November 13, 2025, in Dublin. The first of the three matches was already served in the Portugal vs. Armenia game on November 16, 2025. According to Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the enforcement of the remaining two-match suspension has been placed under a one-year probation period."

? Charles McQuillan - 2025 Getty Images

In particular, the probation period for match suspensions is not common practice and certainly comes as a surprise. For now, the sanction means that Cristiano Ronaldo will be able to play in the first match of the 2026 World Cup, provided he does not commit any further serious disciplinary offenses before the start of the tournament.

This incident is an unprecedented event in Ronaldo's long international career, as he had never received a straight red card in his 226 appearances for Portugal.

The Seleção will now have to keep their captain in check to ensure that no further incidents jeopardize his participation in the World Cup.  

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