Cristiano Ronaldo has received a suspended ban for his red card against Ireland, a decision that places football's superstar culture under scrutiny, revealing how the game's rules sometimes bend for its biggest names while testing the balance between star power and sporting integrity.
Key Points:
- Cristiano Ronaldo received a three-match ban for the elbowing incident
- Two matches are suspended under a one-year probation period
- He will miss no World Cup games unless he reoffends
- The red card was his first in 226 international appearances
- FIFA's ruling has been described as "unprecedented" by analysts
- Ronaldo already served one match during Portugal's qualifier
- The decision comes after his White House meeting with the FIFA president
Sources: Sky Sports, Goal
