"It is measure of just how much more shameless and obsequious Fifa has become under the presidency of Gianni Infantino that news of its decision to unsuspend Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal's first two group games at next year's Geopolitics World Cup has been greeted with little more than an amused, weary eye-roll at the brass neckery of it all."
"Issued with a straight red card for violent conduct during a defeat at the hands of the Republic of Ireland, the preening Portuguese showpony was issued with a standard three-match ban, the first game of which he spent on the Naughty Step during his side's subsequent 9-1 demolition of Armenia. His was an absence that didn't so much make the heart grow fonder, as the team grow in stature and confidence."
Fifa suspended the remaining two games of Cristiano Ronaldo's three-match international ban and placed those matches on a one-year probation period, allowing him to be available for Portugal's first two group games at the next World Cup. Ronaldo received a straight red card for violent conduct during a defeat to the Republic of Ireland and missed one match while Portugal beat Armenia 9-1. Ronaldo attended a White House dinner attended by high-profile figures. Fifa cited Ronaldo's previous good conduct as the reason for the suspension. The Portuguese FA has not announced whether it will appeal. Football Daily noted that the same leniency was not extended to Armenia captain Tigran Barseghyan after a similar sending-off.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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