Portugal make Cristiano Ronaldo decision after star handed World Cup ban | OneFootball

Fading star is currently banned for Portugal’s first two World Cup games - should they qualify

Buh-bye: Cristiano Ronaldo

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Cristiano Ronaldo could see his World Cup ban removed with the Portugal FA set to appeal to FIFA over his three-match suspension.

The 40-year-old was judged to have elbowed Dara O'Shea off the ball and was subsequently given his marching orders by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for violent conduct. Such a dismissal carries a three-match ban.

Portugal have just one more competitive match before of next summer's World Cup, with Armenia the opponents next week.

Seleccao need to beat Armenia to guarantee automatic qualification to the 2025 summer tournament. Should Portugal qualify, Ronaldo will be banned for their first two group games.

According to LUSA, the largest news agency in Portugal, Ronaldo's three-match ban will be appealed in a bid to reduce it to one game and make the player available for what will be his final World Cup tournament.

The process being overseen by Portugal FA president Pedro Proenca and is said to claim Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson "created a clearly and demonstrably hostile environment around the national team captain."

LUSA report that the appeal argues that Ronaldo "was, as on many other occasions during the match, blatantly held inside the box", and the elbow which saw him sent off was a reaction out of "frustration".

The Portugal FA are said to state that the red card was "the first time Cristiano Ronaldo had ever been sent off in more than 200 appearances for the national team, which is truly remarkable and demonstrates his consistently exemplary conduct."