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FIFA could face legal action after its controversial decision to allow Cristiano Ronaldo to participate in the World Cup, bypassing his ban, which would normally see him miss at least the first two matches, like any other player.
In a brazen move that has drawn widespread criticism, the governing body has taken the extraordinary step of suspending the final two matches of a three-match ban handed to the 40-year-old superstar after he was sent off for an elbow on Ireland's Dara O'Shea in a World Cup qualifier.
Ronaldo, a guest of President Donald Trump at the White House last week, did not take part in Portugal's final World Cup qualifying match, a devastating 9-1 victory over Armenia, and is now virtually free to play for his country.
However, the Daily Mail Sport understands that those who will play against Portugal in the matches for which he should have been suspended could file a lawsuit with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in a bid to overturn the controversial suspension and uphold the original punishment. A panel will meet in Switzerland before issuing a ruling.
It remains to be seen whether there is a desire to follow such a path. Other countries whose players will miss matches due to suspensions that have not been similarly reduced may also be monitoring the situation.
Each aggrieved party would have to show that they were directly affected by the decision and that there was a legitimate interest worthy of protection, according to those familiar with the situation. In what would effectively be a test case, they would have to prove that their chances of qualifying from the group would be diminished if Ronaldo, who scored five goals on the trip to the United States, were allowed to play against them.
They will also have to prove that FIFA's decision was wrong and, given the discretionary nature of their disciplinary process, that could be a difficult task. The draw will be made next Friday in Washington D.C. England cannot face Portugal, but Scotland and potentially the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales could be in with a chance if they win their play-off matches.
FIFA's disciplinary code states that a player must serve a suspension of "at least three matches, including elbowing, punching, kicking, biting, spitting or striking an opponent or a person other than a match official."
However, Article 27 of the code states that a FIFA judicial committee can “fully or partially suspend the application of a disciplinary measure.” FIFA said: “In accordance with Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the broadcast of the remaining two matches is suspended for a one-year probationary period.”
If Cristiano Ronaldo commits another offence of a similar nature and seriousness during the probationary period, the suspension set out in the disciplinary decision will be deemed automatically revoked and the remaining two matches must be played immediately in the next official matches of the Portuguese national team. This is without prejudice to any additional sanctions imposed for the new offence. FIFA says its disciplinary panel is “fully independent”.
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