Ronaldo was initially shown a yellow card after elbowing Ireland defender Dara O\u2019Shea during the match in Dublin
\n Frankfurt
\nCristiano Ronaldo is in danger of missing at least Portugal\u2019s opening match at next year\u2019s World Cup after being shown a red card in Thursday\u2019s 2-0 loss to the Republic of Ireland.
\nRonaldo was initially shown a yellow card after elbowing Ireland defender Dara O\u2019Shea during the match in Dublin.
\nHowever, 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 a pitch-side video monitor.
\n\u201cWhen he tries to get away from the defender, I think the action looks worse than what it actually is,\u201d Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said. \u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s an elbow, I think it\u2019s a full body. But from where the camera is, it looks like an elbow. We accept it.
\nIt could be a red card, but for the right reasons.\u201d
\nRonaldo will serve his mandatory one-game suspension when Portugal plays host to Armenia on Sunday. Portugal, which still leads Hungary by two points in Group F, can clinch a spot in next year\u2019s World Cup with a victory.
\nHowever, FIFA disciplinary rules state that a ban of at least two matches is required for \u201cserious foul play\u201d and for at least three matches for \u201cviolent conduct,\u201d or for \u201can appropriate period of time for assault, including elbowing.\u201d
\nPre-World Cup exhibitions would not count towards serving a potential match ban, and it could be three weeks before FIFA issues a verdict.
\nIt is the first red card Ronaldo has received in the record 226 games he has played for Portugal.
\n\u201cHe is just a captain that has never been sent off before in 226 games,\u201d Martinez said.
\n\u201cI think it was a bit harsh because he cares about the team.\u201d
\nRonaldo is seeking to reach his sixth World Cup.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ronaldo was initially shown a yellow card after elbowing Ireland defender Dara O\u2019Shea during the match in Dublin Frankfurt Cristiano Ronaldo is in danger of missing at least Portugal\u2019s opening match at next year\u2019s World Cup after being shown a red card in Thursday\u2019s 2-0 loss to the Republic of Ireland. Ronaldo was initially shown […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":514859,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-514845","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n