Cristiano Ronaldo is set to be available for the start of Portugal's World Cup campaign despite his red card against the Republic of Ireland.
A FIFA disciplinary committee has imposed a three-match ban, but the final two games are 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, which they won 9-1.
Ronaldo was shown a red card after swinging an elbow at Dara O’Shea during a World Cup qualifier at Aviva Stadium earlier this month. Ireland won the game 2-0, following it up with a memorable 3-2 victory in Hungary to earn a place in March's World Cup play-offs.
Cristiano Ronaldo is given a red card after a VAR review for an elbow
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) November 13, 2025
Mimicked tears, a clash with the Ireland manager and an all-time send-off from the crowd follow. Dublin is no longer "lovely" for him
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Portugal coach Roberto Martinez defended his skipper after the match, saying: "The red card is just a captain that has never been sent off before in 226 games – I think that just deserves credit – and today, I thought it was a bit harsh because he cares about the team.
"He was 60 minutes or 58 minutes in the box being grabbed, being pulled, being pushed and obviously when he tries to get away from the defender…
"I think the action looks worse than what it actually is, I don't think it’s an elbow, I think it’s a full body, but from where the camera is, it looks like an elbow. But we accept it."
FIFA’s disciplinary code states violent conduct should lead to a suspension of at least three matches, as should any offence of assault, including "elbowing, punching, kicking, biting, spitting at or hitting an opponent".
Ronaldo, 40, confirmed earlier this month that next year’s World Cup would "definitely"' be his last.
The suspension is subject to an appeal to the FIFA appeal committee.
O'Shea himself reflected on the incident on RTÉ Radio 1's Inside Sport last week, admitting that he caught some flak from the Portuguese star's devoted online fanbase.
"Ronaldo's not the player to mess with. You know all about it on the phone afterwards!" joked O'Shea.
"But it is what it is. It's football. Look, I think he understands that himself, first and foremost. The game's the game.
"I was trying to do whatever I can for my country. I think at the time we were really frustrating him and them as group.
"So, yeah, the less I say, the better maybe..."
