Ronaldo clear for World Cup opener despite red card

Despite receiving a red card for the Republic of Ireland against Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo will be able to play for them in their opening match of the World Cup championship next summer.

During Portugal’s 2-0 defeat earlier this month, Ronaldo, 40, was shown an elbow that caused an elbow to hit Dara O’Shea’s back.

Ronaldo has had his second and third matches suspended for a year, whereas violent conduct typically results in a three-game ban.

According to BBC Sport, it was taken into account that this was his first red card in 226 international appearances.

The suspension set out in the disciplinary decision shall be deemed automatically revoked, and the remaining two matches must be served as soon as possible, according to a Fifa statement.

Portugal’s Group F victory earned them their seventh consecutive World Cup victory by qualifying for five goals in Ronaldo’s qualifying campaign.