Cristiano Ronaldo is free to play at the World Cup, with FIFA ready to go easy on the Portugal star

Captain of Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo will be free to play the first game of next year’s World Cup after receiving a reduced punishment for his red card against the Republic of Ireland, according to presenters Portuguese newspaper A Bola.

Ronaldo was sent off in Portugal’s penultimate qualifier in Dublin for an irritating elbow on Ireland defender Dara O’Shea.

FIFA’s Disciplinary Code, Chapter Two, Article 14(i) states: « Players and officials shall be suspended for misconduct as set out below… at least three matches or an appropriate period of time for assault, including elbowing, punching, kicking, biting, spitting or striking an opponent or a person other than a match official ».

A Bola claims that FIFA’s disciplinary committee has already made its decision, which is to hand the Al-Nasr striker a three-match ban, two of which have been suspended.

Ronaldo sat out the Group F final against Armenia – a match Portugal won 9-1 to book a place in the United States, Canada and Mexico, meaning he will be able to feature in his country’s first tournament next summer.

The 40-year-old spent last week in talks with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino and US President Donald Trump as part of a 40-person delegation that will visit the White House with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Promotion of Martinez if Ronaldo is cleared to play

If A Bola are correct, it will be welcome news for Portugal coach Roberto Martinez.

Martinez was a guest on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football last night and expressed his admiration for Ronaldo, who scored a brilliant overhead kick for Al-Nasser at the weekend.

The former Belgium coach said: “Obviously everyone has an opinion (about Ronaldo).

« I’ve always believed that the body retires the player. When I’ve seen Cristiano work, I’m convinced it’s the brain that retires the footballer. His body follows his focus and mindset. He doesn’t do it for anyone (else), he does it for himself.

« When we analyze players, we can talk about every aspect, (but) we never analyze the hunger. He has the biggest hunger I’ve ever seen in a player.

« Usually a player wins a trophy and they don’t have the same hunger the next day in their way of working. He has it. I don’t know if it’s natural or something he works hard on, but he has that hunger not to be disappointed.

« I don’t think he needs to show anything. I think he’s reached a point now where he’s playing for himself and the people he loves because he doesn’t need to prove anybody wrong.

« What he has already achieved is enough to leave a legacy. »