FIFA could face potential legal action after its controversial decision to freeze Cristiano Ronaldo’s suspension and allow the Portugal striker to feature in the team’s first two World Cup matches.
The governing body unexpectedly paused the final two games of Ronaldo’s three-match ban, which had been handed down after the 40-year-old was sent off for elbowing Ireland’s Dara O’Shea in a qualifier earlier this month.
Ronaldo has already missed Portugal’s last World Cup qualifier — a 9–1 win over Armenia — and is now effectively cleared to play.
However, Daily Mail Sport reports that nations drawn to face Portugal in matches where Ronaldo would have been suspended may challenge the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). A panel in Switzerland would review the case before issuing a ruling.
Other countries whose players are serving bans that were not reduced may also be watching developments closely.
Any challenge would require proof that the complainant is directly affected by FIFA’s decision and has a legally protectable interest, according to experts familiar with the process.
FIFA’s disciplinary code states that players guilty of assault — including elbowing, punching, kicking, biting, spitting or hitting an opponent — should receive at least a three-match ban.
However, Article 27 allows a FIFA judicial committee to fully or partly suspend a disciplinary sanction.
FIFA stated:
“In line with Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the serving of the remaining two matches has been suspended under a one-year probation period.
If Cristiano Ronaldo commits another infringement of similar nature and gravity during this period, the suspension will be automatically reinstated and the two matches must be served immediately in Portugal’s next official fixtures — without prejudice to any additional sanctions for the new offence.”
FIFA also emphasised that its disciplinary panel is “fully independent.”
