Will Ronaldo be banned at World Cup after red card?

"Portugal were trailing 2-0 when Ronaldo clashed with Dara O'Shea, hitting his elbow into the defender's back. Referee Glenn Nyberg spotted the incident and showed Ronaldo a yellow card, but upgraded it to a red after reviewing it. The incident was Ronaldo's first red card for Portugal in his 226th appearance. Portugal will be without their captain for Sunday's home match against Armenia, with a win needed to secure their spot at the tournament."

"The red card he received automatically carries a one-match suspension, ruling him out of Sunday's crucial qualifier against Armenia. But violent conduct almost always carries an extended suspension and the extra games would only be served in competitive fixtures. If Portugal get the win they need against Armenia to qualify directly, their next competitive match would be their opening group game at the World Cup. If the unlikely happens and Portugal do drop into the play-offs, the 40-year-old would sit out the semi-final."

"Technically, Fifa could opt not to extend Ronaldo's ban at all, meaning he would not be at risk of missing the start of the tournament. However, Fifa disciplinary code states that a red card for "assault, including elbowing, punching, kicking, biting, spitting or hitting an opponent" should carry a three-match suspension. That would see Ronaldo miss Portugal's first two World Cup group games or both play-off matches."

Cristiano Ronaldo received a straight red card after elbowing Dara O'Shea during Portugal's World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland. Referee Glenn Nyberg initially issued a yellow before upgrading to a red after a review. The red automatically carries a one-match suspension, ruling Ronaldo out of Portugal's next qualifier against Armenia. Violent conduct can trigger an extended ban applied only to competitive fixtures. FIFA's disciplinary committee will decide any additional suspension; the FIFA code recommends a three-match ban for assault like elbowing. A three-match ban could force Ronaldo to miss Portugal's first two World Cup group games or play-off matches.

Read at www.bbc.com