FIFA at risk of World Cup legal battle after Cristiano Ronaldo’s controversial red card

 FIFA could face legal action following its controversial decision to suspend Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldos ban and allow him to play in Portugals first two World Cup games. This comes after the governing body took the extraordinary step of suspending the final two games of a three-match ban issued to the 40-year-old superstar after he was sent off for elbowing Irelands Dara OShea in a qualifier earlier this month. Ronaldo sat out Portugals final World Cup qualifier a 9-1 thrashing of Armenia, and is effectively now free to play for his country. However, Daily Mail Sport understands that those who are drawn to play against Portugal in the matches he should have been banned, could make a claim at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in a bid to overturn the controversial suspension and uphold the original punishment. A panel would sit in Switzerland before delivering a verdict. Other countries whose players will miss matches due to suspensions that have not been similarly reduced may also be monitoring the situation. Any aggrieved party would have to demonstrate that they are directly affected by the decision and that there is a legal interest worthy of protection, according to those with knowledge of the situation. FIFAs disciplinary code states that a player should serve at least three matches or an appropriate period of time for assault, including elbowing, punching, kicking, biting, spitting or hitting 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 implementation of a disciplinary measure.FIFA said: In line with article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the serving of the two remaining matches has been suspended under a one-year probation period. 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 at the next official match(es) of the Portuguese representative team.  This is without prejudice to any additional sanctions imposed for the new infringement. FIFA say their disciplinary panel is fully independent. The post FIFA at risk of World Cup legal battle after Cristiano Ronaldo’s controversialredcard appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.