Cristiano Ronaldo: Is World Cup reprieve an insult to fans or have FIFA made the right decision?

The record-breaking Portuguese star is now free to play in the opening matches of the tournament next summer despite being sent off for violent conduct in a recent game in Dublin

It’s good to have friends in high places. In Cristiano Ronaldo’s case, very high places indeed.

The Portuguese superstar’s hopes of lighting up a final World Cup were in jeopardy when his dismissal against Republic of Ireland saw a three-match ban pencilled in against his name. But after last week’s visit to the White House to see president Donald Trump, a FIFA disciplinary committee has seen fit to indeed impose a three-match ban – albeit with the final two games suspended for one year provided there is no similar infringement during the probation period.

He has already served the one-match suspension, in Portugal’s final qualifier against Armenia, whom they thrashed to book their place at next summer’s finals in USA, Canada and Mexico. Which means he’ll be good to go from the off next June.

Convenient? You bet.

But is it that bad? Have FIFA seen sense to effectively pardon one of the game’s all-time greats, a man they know will put bums on seats – perhaps more than any other – at next summer’s showpiece event. Andy Dunn and John Cross have their says on the affair, with very much opposite points of view…

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World Cup reprieve shows FIFA and Gianni Infantino have no shame

By Andy Dunn

A week or so ago, Cristiano Ronaldo took a selfie in the White House with Gianni Infantino. Subsequently, FIFA have decided to give Ronaldo a three-match ban but suspend the final two games of his suspension, making Ronaldo available for selection from day one of the World Cup.

FIFA and Infantino really don’t care how this looks. It’s brazen. But FIFA and Infantino do brazen brilliantly.

Around about the time that Donald Trump missed out on the Nobel Peace prize, FIFA announced they would be awarding their own annual peace prize, the first recipient being celebrated at the World Cup draw in Washington next week. It’s brazen.

Trump will win it. Down the line, do not be surprised if Mohammed bin Salman, essentially the ruler of Saudi Arabia, wins it. It’s brazen. And FIFA clearly has no shame in giving Ronaldo this reprieve.

The elbow on Dara O’Shea in the 2-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland was blatant, a cut-and-dried sending-off warranting a three-match sanction. Game one was served when Portugal played Armenia in their final qualifying game. Portugal’s first two fixtures of World Cup 2026 should have comprised the remainder of the suspension.

That they won’t is as predictable as it is scandalous. FIFA is citing a rule that allows part of a sanction to be probationary but that clause is rarely invoked.

It seems like it is not going to be invoked in the cases of Nicolas Otamendi and Moises Caicedo, who will both miss their countries’ opening World Cup games after being sent off when Argentina and Ecuador met each other in September. Funny, that.

Ronaldo is probably one of the very few players Trump has heard of, and he certainly knows him now, having had that meeting at the White House. Imagine Infantino – who now calls the President of the United States ‘a close friend’ – having to explain to Trump that Ronaldo would not be able to play in Portugal’s first two matches of the tournament because of an offence in a game almost a year ago.

Trump would no doubt have told FIFA to sort it – and that is what they have done. Of course, it is a moot point whether or not it does Portugal and manager Roberto Martinez a massive favour.

Martinez continues to play the 40-year-old and Ronaldo scored five goals in five World Cup qualifying games. But Ronaldo did not score at Euro 2024 and scored only once at World Cup 2022. He produced one assist at Euro 2024 and none at World Cup 2022.

In the last World Cup, in Qatar, he was dropped by coach Fernando Santos, for the last-16 meeting with Switzerland and replaced by Goncalo Ramos, who scored a hat-trick in a 6-1 win. Ronaldo’s 226 caps without a red card before his dismissal in Dublin was, it seems, one of the reasons for this reprieve. Which is laughable.

But there is no doubt he has given quite remarkable service to his national team. Martinez, though, has plenty of options and Ronaldo would not be sorely missed.

But he would be missed by Infantino and FIFA. And if Ronaldo does take to the pitch for Portugal’s first game, it will be another reminder that FIFA’s claim to uphold the integrity of the game sometimes seems painfully hollow.

White House visit worked a treat – now Ronaldo must deliver

By John Cross

Cristiano Ronaldo’s visit to the White House certainly worked a treat.

The Portugal superstar was pictured with Donald Trump in the office and then lined up for more snaps alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Then… hey presto! The 40-year-old, one of the legends of the beautiful game, gets a let-off a week or so later and is cleared to play at the World Cup.

FIFA normally dishes out a three match ban for violent conduct and Ronaldo was sent off earlier in the month for elbowing Republic of Ireland defender O’Shea. One game of his ban was taken up for him being sent off against Armenia three days later and – as if by magic – the other two have been suspended.

Ronaldo must behave himself for the next year to stop them being invoked but he can play in the World Cup opener for Portugal next summer.

A few observers reckon actually it is more of a punishment for Portugal. Ageing legend, in a brilliant squad, and at least it would have saved Roberto Martinez a tough decision to drop him for two games.

If you look at some Portugal games, brilliant players – like Bruno Fernandes – do still look intimidated by Ronaldo’s presence. He is more of a distraction than a help even if Martinez this week emphasised Ronaldo’s positive influence on the squad.

But back to the point. FIFA have set the tone here. They want the biggest names to be at the biggest show on earth.

It is a strange precedent. But let’s be honest, we wanted Wayne Rooney’s ban reduced for Euro 2012. He was sent off in a qualifier against Montenegro and got a three game, ban reduced to two on appeal, and he missed two matches in the tournament.

It didn’t feel like the biggest scandal back then. And in Ronaldo’s defence, he was pushing off the player to get free rather than intentionally elbowing.

It was a red card but Ronaldo has played over 200 games for Portugal and never been sent off before. This is also his last ever World Cup. He has announced it will be his last… well, until he changes his mind and plays in 2034 when he will be coming up for 50.

Yes, this will not go down well. But if you do not have a set tariff – and FIFA were allowed to have wriggle room – then is it that bad?

Sorry, to fly in the face of reasoned and passioned argument. But the last World Cup seemed to be set for Lionel Messi. Argentina delivered. Now the stage has been set for Ronaldo.

But FIFA will also known they have set themselves up here. It’s one hell of a precedent. Exceptional case or not.

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