Ex-FIFA official stunned by ‘disgraceful’ Cristiano Ronaldo announcement
FIFA are “disgraceful” for taking a lenient approach to suspending Cristiano Ronaldo after the star lashed out against Ireland.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that it is a “manipulation of the rules” to help the Portuguese star on the international stage.
Lionel Messi avoided a red card earlier in the year after the Inter Miami star was caught grabbing the throat of an opponent, and that same treatment appears to be on show now.
Ronaldo was shown a straight red card for elbowing Ipswich Town‘s Dara O’Shea in the back during Portugal’s defeat to Ireland in November, which would usually mean a three-match suspension.
Premier League-linked Troy Parrott had already become the hero at this point.
FIFA show Cristiano Ronaldo clear favouritism ahead of World Cup 2026
However, FIFA have decided to reduce the ban to just one game, meaning that the superstar will be available for Portugal’s opening World Cup matches next year, having already served his punishment by missing the clash against Armenia.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Ronaldo’s suspension, the former referee said: “Frankly, this manipulation of the rules is unfair to those who have served the appropriate suspension in past games.
“The criteria for suspension are relayed to all stakeholders of the game. This action by FIFA to favour one player is frankly disgraceful.“
Portugal have not yet learned their opponents for the World Cup, but even at 40 years of age, the Al Nassr striker plans on leading his country into battle at the major tournament.
Which players have been suspended before heading into the World Cup?
Had Ronaldo’s three-match ban stood, it would not have been the first time that a star name was suspended for the opening matches of a World Cup tournament.
After receiving a red card in a 2002 qualifier, Zinedine Zidane was suspended for France’s opener against Senegal, and Michael Essien suffered a similar fate for Ghana after picking up too many yellow cards.
Luis Suarez is a different example. While he never missed a World Cup, due to serving a lengthy ban for a biting incident, he missed some of Uruguay’s qualifying campaign for the 2018 tournament.
Ronaldo might have followed suit had his suspension been upheld, but it is clear that FIFA took a lenient view, possibly due to the number of viewers he could bring to the World Cup next year.