Made a mockery of the organisation" - Ex-Chelsea star slams FIFA for Cristiano Ronaldo suspension decision
Former Chelsea star Craig Burley has slammed FIFA following their decision to allow Cristiano Ronaldo to play for Portugal in the 2026 FIFA World Cup opener. He claimed that FIFA President Gianni Infantino has 'sold his soul' with this decision.
Speaking on ESPN FC, Burley said it was a shame to see FIFA suspend the ban and reduce his red card to a one-game suspension. He wants the Portuguese superstar to serve his ban a
nd not be given special treatment, and said:"If Gianni Infantino had any shame...because let's be honest, he'd sell his soul for money, he's shown that with the Club World Cup and the extended World Cup. They have made a mockery of their own disciplinary process, a complete sham.
What this says to refs and other professionals is, 'Maybe you shouldn't send off the big stars, keep itto the guys under the radar because we want these big stars at a major tournament'."
"When have you ever seen any player get a probation after getting sent off for violent conduct. It's a 3 game ban and that's it, you can't give someone a 3 game ban and tell them you can have 2 games off. This has made a mockery of the organisation because they are making the rules up for themselves.
If that had been any other player...... they'd have a 3 game suspension and they would've missed the World Cup or the first couple games of the WC. But for Cristiano Ronaldo, there's different rules and if FIFA try and tell you anything different, then they're talking absolute nonsense."
Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off in the 2-0 loss to Ireland for elbowing Dara O'Shea off the ball. He was suspended for the final qualifier against Armenia, which Portugal won 9-1, sealing their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
FIFA release statement on Cristiano Ronaldo's red card
FIFA released a statement on Cristiano Ronaldo following the Portuguese Football Federation's appeal to reduce his red card suspension. They have suspended his 2-match ban for the red card and said:
"If Cristiano Ronaldo commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension set out in the disciplinary decision shall be deemed automatically revoked and the remaining two matches must be served immediately."
The BBC has reported that Ronaldo's record of not being sent off in 225 matches for the national team played a key role in FIFA's decision.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/news-made-mockery-organisation-ex-chelsea-star-slams-fifa-cristiano-ronaldo-suspension-decision
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