Cristiano Ronaldo is facing a ban for the start of Portugal’s World Cup campaign next summer following his red card on Thursday night.

The 40-year-old was sent off for swinging an elbow at defender Dara O’Shea during Portugal’s 2-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland in Dublin.

Ronaldo was initially given a yellow card before referee Glenn Nyberg changed his decision to a red following a VAR review.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward will now serve an automatic one-game ban for Portugal’s next World Cup qualifier against Armenia on Sunday.

However, FIFA disciplinary laws indicate that the nature of Ronaldo’s red card offence means he could miss ‘at least two matches for serious foul play’ and ‘at least three matches for violent conduct’.

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