Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, FIFA, Portugal, Football
Cristiano Ronaldo may still be made to serve a ban at the World Cup as FIFA could face legal action following their controversial decision.
Earlier this month, Portugal legend Ronaldo was issued a three-match ban for elbowing Ireland’s Dara O’Shea in a World Cup qualifying match.
The ban would mean that the 40-year-old would miss Portugal's first two group stage matches at the upcoming 2026 World Cup which is set to take place across North America next summer.
However, FIFA later made the controversial decision to suspending the final two games of the three-match ban, ensuring Ronaldo would be available at the World Cup.
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But it appears that the Portugal star could yet miss his nation's opening gams at the major international competition as FIFA could face legal action over their decision to suspend the ban.
Although he promised that he would be a "good boy" ahead of kick-off, Ronaldo was sent off for the first time in his 226-cap Portugal career during the match against the Republic of Ireland.
The red card meant that he missed Portugal's final qualifier against Armenia, but FIFA's decision meant that he other two matches were suspended for “a one-year probation period”, allowing him to play at the World Cup.
However, a report from Mail Sport has revealed that the countries that are drawn to play against Portugal in next week's World Cup group stage draw could attempt to overturn this decision.
The report claims that the countries could make a claim at at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to overturn the suspension of Ronaldo's ban and uphold the original punishment.
If they chose to do so, a panel would sit in Switzerland to consider the claim before delivering a verdict, however as it stands it remains to be seen if the impacted countries will decide to go down this route.
Due to the format of the draw, England cannot face Portugal in the group stage but Scotland, and potentially the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales could be drawn against them, should they win their play-off matches.
Portugal's group stage opponents are not the only countries that are likely monitoring the situation surrounding Ronaldo's ban, as other countries whose players will miss World Cup matches due to suspensions could also raise a claim.
According to the report, any aggrieved party raising a claim at the CAS would need to prove that they have been directly impacted by FIFA's decision and that there is a legal interest worthy of protection.
