Cristiano Ronaldo has been handed a lengthy ban following a controversial red card incident, sparking widespread debate over the fairness of the disciplinary action and its impact on his club.
Portugal manager Roberto Martínez has strongly criticized the possibility of a multi-game suspension for Cristiano Ronaldo following his red card, calling such a ban “very unfair.”
According to a report from Sports Illustrated via Fotmob, Portugal manager Roberto Martínez has urged FIFA not to impose a long suspension on Cristiano Ronaldo following his red card in the 2–0 loss to the Republic of Ireland.
Ronaldo was sent off after a VAR review upgraded his initial yellow card to red for what was ruled as an elbow into Ireland defender Dara O’Shea.
Martínez disputed that the action was a case of violent conduct, instead framing it as “a frustrated response to a series of provocative actions” from O’Shea and other Irish players.
“After the game it’s a difficult time because emotions can be unclear,” Martínez said. “I saw his reaction to a provocation. … It’s not a violent action … but a reaction to a provocation.”
He went on to argue: “I would say it would be very unfair to impose a long suspension.”
According to Portuguese outlet A BOLA, the national football federation is preparing a formal appeal to FIFA in an effort to limit Ronaldo’s ban to just one game.
Meanwhile, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee may yet rule that his conduct merits a suspension of up to two or three matches.