Overview
- Cristiano Ronaldo’s red card drew a three-game sanction with two matches suspended on a 12‑month probation, according to FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee.
- He has already served the active one-match ban in Portugal’s 9–1 win over Armenia, leaving him available for the start of the 2026 tournament.
- The probation means any comparable offense within the next year would automatically reactivate the two suspended games to be served in subsequent official fixtures.
- The dismissal came on November 13 against Ireland after VAR upgraded a caution to a red for an elbow on Dara O’Shea, Ronaldo’s first direct red in 226 Portugal appearances.
- Federations are eyeing the ruling as a potential precedent—Argentina’s AFA for Nicolás Otamendi among them—and FIFA notes the decision can be appealed within its system.