Cristiano Ronaldo Granted Opportunity to Avoid FIFA’s Three-Match Ban, Decision Sparks Controversy

Portugal’s globally renowned footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has been given a chance to avoid the three-match ban imposed by FIFA, but the decision has sparked significant debate within football circles.

Ronaldo received a red card for elbowing Ireland’s defender Dara O’Shea during a World Cup qualifying match against Ireland. FIFA had initially handed him a three-match suspension for this incident, but now two of those matches have been provisionally lifted.

According to FIFA’s ruling, if Ronaldo commits a similar offense within the next year, he could still face the suspension for the two matches.

This decision is unusual by FIFA’s standard regulations, especially regarding a three-match ban. Earlier this month, FIFA also imposed three-match suspensions on players from Armenia and Burundi, but those players were not granted any temporary relief.

The ruling is particularly significant for Ronaldo as he prepares to participate in his sixth World Cup, scheduled for June 2026 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The suspension lift allows him to train fully with the Portugal team ahead of the tournament.

Speculation about the transparency of the decision intensified after Ronaldo attended a formal White House dinner with former U.S. President Donald Trump, where Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was also present. FIFA President Gianni Infantino attended the same dinner and took a selfie with Ronaldo.

The controversy is further fueled by Saudi Arabia’s recent bid to host the 2034 World Cup and financial support provided by the Saudi Crown Prince to FIFA, raising additional questions about the impartiality of the ruling.