₦airaland Forum

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 and 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

Infantino is the worst FIFA President so far, the man could indeed sell his soul for money. Look how he has destroyed the sport, from the Club World Cup which he has converted to a league format & will now take place every 4years, to FIFA international friendlies that he has converted to UEFA Nations League, to separating FIFA from the Ballon d'or, to increasing the number of games that obviously fatigue the players from lack of adequate rest, to increasing the number of world cup participants to 64 countries, etc.
Write this down, since Messi has won the world cup, FIFA is doing everything to make Ronaldo win the world cup too. In this scenario, the Saudi Prince from where Ronaldo plays his club football went to Trump who will host the next world cup and Infantino was also invited with Ronaldo, all of them in the same room at the white house, dinning, smiling and taking pictures together. Then Trump says his son loves watching Ronaldo and a few days later, FIFA announced the suspension of Ronaldo's ban. Do you think these people would not influence the matches in favour of Portugal?.
Nicolas Otamendi, Moses Caicedo will miss the opener of the world cup for lesser offence yet nobody is suspending their own ban. Wayne Rooney was suspended and missed some matches at 2012 Euros, nobody reversed the decision. But because of money, the rules was bent for Ronaldo. Oyinbo are the most corrupt people in the world.

Putindbutt:
Infantino is the worst FIFA President so far, the man could indeed sell his soul for money. Look how he has destroyed the sport, from the club world cup to FIFA international friendlies that he has converted to UEFA National League, separating FIFA from the Ballon d'or, to increasing the number of games that obviously fatigued the players from lack of adequate rest, to increasing the number of world cup participants to 64 countries, etc.
Write this down, since Messi has won the world cup, FIFA is doing everything to make Ronaldo win the world cup too. In this scenario, the Saudi Prince from where Ronaldo plays club football went to Trump who will host the next world cup and Infantino was also invited with Ronaldo, all of them in the same room at the white house. Then Trump says his son loves watching Ronaldo and a few days later, FIFA announced the suspension of Ronaldo's ban. Do you think these people would not influence the matches on behalf of Portugal?.
Nicolas Otamendi, Moses Caicedo will miss the opener of the world cup for lesser offence yet nobody is suspending their own ban. Wayne Rooney was suspended and missed some matches at 2012 Euros, nobody reversed the decision. But because of money, the rules was bent for Ronaldo. Oyinbo are the most corrupt people in the world.

Eeehhhhyyyaaaa!!! sori no cry.

chiiraq802:
Eeehhhhyyyaaaa!!! sori no cry.

He said the truth, though.

But this isn't the first time a player has had his ban reduced....why do they always target Ronaldo



In 2014, France defender Laurent koscielny was sent off for slapping Ukraines kucher in their first of the world cup play off ... like Ronaldo ,Laurent koscielny was meant to serve his 3 match ban , the 2nd leg play off and the first 2 games of the 2014 World Cup...but fifa reduced it to 1 game , allowing him to play in the world cup...

Croatias Mario mandzukic was also meant to miss the first 2 games in that world cup after getting a red card in the 2nd leg play off game against Iceland due to dangerous play.... his ban was reduced to 1 game ...he only missed the opener, he then played against Cameroon where he scored 2 goals in the 4 .0 win...

Towards the end of the 2006 world cup qualifiers ...Phillip cocu fir Netherlands was given a straight red card for a retaliation elbow on an Albanian player....fifa reduced his ban to 2 games which made him miss just the last 2 qualifiers against czech and Macedonia , so that he could play the opening game of the world cup in 2006...

Japans Makoto Hasebe was sent for an elbow on an opponent at the end of the 2010 world cup qualifiers...his ban was also reduced to 2 games and missed only the opener of that world cup ...

Wayne Rooney of Engkand was red-carded I the last game of the European qualifier ...he was initially banned for 3 games ...meaning that he would have missed the group stage
..but they reduced it to 2 ....

No one talked about all those situations....it has happened multiple times in leagues and champions league were 3 match bans were reduce after an appeal... Portugal appealed and it was reduced...but because its Ronaldo that has never received a single red card in 227 games for Portugal until this particular one.... his haters are attacking fifa ...

The late Paolo Rossi was banned for 3 yrs for match fixing for Italy in 1980... but just b4 the world cup , Italy appealed and it was reduced to 2 so he could participate at the 82 world cup in Spain..... he ended up winning it for Italy and was top scorer... so why are these haters on Ronaldos case ...as if its the first time it's ever happened

Putindbutt:
Infantino is the worst FIFA President so far, the man could indeed sell his soul for money. Look how he has destroyed the sport, from the Club World Cup which he has converted to a league format & will now take place every 4years, to FIFA international friendlies that he has converted to UEFA Nations League, to separating FIFA from the Ballon d'or, to increasing the number of games that obviously fatigue the players from lack of adequate rest, to increasing the number of world cup participants to 64 countries, etc.
Write this down, since Messi has won the world cup, FIFA is doing everything to make Ronaldo win the world cup too. In this scenario, the Saudi Prince from where Ronaldo plays his club football went to Trump who will host the next world cup and Infantino was also invited with Ronaldo, all of them in the same room at the white house, dinning, smiling and taking pictures together. Then Trump says his son loves watching Ronaldo and a few days later, FIFA announced the suspension of Ronaldo's ban. Do you think these people would not influence the matches in favour of Portugal?.
Nicolas Otamendi, Moses Caicedo will miss the opener of the world cup for lesser offence yet nobody is suspending their own ban. Wayne Rooney was suspended and missed some matches at 2012 Euros, nobody reversed the decision. But because of money, the rules was bent for Ronaldo. Oyinbo are the most corrupt people in the world.

Wasn't Rooney Ms own also reduced?? From 3 to 2... Ronaldo has already served a match ban ... not like he never served. U are all acting like its the first time it's ever happened... why u all so scared of a 41 Yr old man playing at the world cup.... so he's that good

Messi fans trying hard to hold this thread hostage

cr7lomo:
Wasn't Rooney Ms own also reduced?? From 3 to 2... Ronaldo has already served a match ban ... not like he never served. U are all acting like its the first time it's ever happened... why u all so scared of a 41 Yr old man playing at the world cup.... so he's that good

If he had served one, what happened to the other two?. Why must FIFA put his ban on probationary?, something that has never happened before in football, that's a fraud check.
Nobody is afraid of Ronaldo, he has been at four World cups and nothing happened, so nobody is afraid of him. This is the problem with you people, you support criminality if it happens to favour the people you like but you cry foul if it was the opposite. Otamendi and Caicedo are going into the World Cup serving ban, why were they also not pampered?.

Yes.

What is good for the goose is also good for the gander.

It's unfair to bend the rules.

For every rule, there's an exception. Rolls Royce nobe mate with Acura.

There was a precedent.

Other would-be red card earners should also take note.

His fans are very quick to call Messi FIFA boy.

But right now what do we call Ronaldo?

A befitting name should be "fifa princess "

Putindbutt:
If he had served one, what happened to the other two?. Why must FIFA put his ban on probationary?, something that has never happened before in football, that's a fraud check.
Nobody is afraid of Ronaldo, he has been at four World cups and nothing happened, so nobody is afraid of him. This is the problem with you people, you support criminality if it happens to favour the people you like but you cry foul if it was the opposite. Otamendi and Caicedo are going into the World Cup serving ban, why were they also not pampered?.

Oga, didn't you read all the times it has happened before, or are you just opening your mouth for opening sake? Someone just gave you a history lesson of where this has precedence and you just completely ignore it to continue your conspiracy theory? Oga pls calm down abeg.

CR7 is a goat... that Burley abi Burnley is juz hating(ilara)

Putindbutt:
Infantino is the worst FIFA President so far, the man could indeed sell his soul for money. Look how he has destroyed the sport, from the Club World Cup which he has converted to a league format & will now take place every 4years, to FIFA international friendlies that he has converted to UEFA Nations League, to separating FIFA from the Ballon d'or, to increasing the number of games that obviously fatigue the players from lack of adequate rest, to increasing the number of world cup participants to 64 countries, etc.
Write this down, since Messi has won the world cup, FIFA is doing everything to make Ronaldo win the world cup too. In this scenario, the Saudi Prince from where Ronaldo plays his club football went to Trump who will host the next world cup and Infantino was also invited with Ronaldo, all of them in the same room at the white house, dinning, smiling and taking pictures together. Then Trump says his son loves watching Ronaldo and a few days later, FIFA announced the suspension of Ronaldo's ban. Do you think these people would not influence the matches in favour of Portugal?.
Nicolas Otamendi, Moses Caicedo will miss the opener of the world cup for lesser offence yet nobody is suspending their own ban. Wayne Rooney was suspended and missed some matches at 2012 Euros, nobody reversed the decision. But because of money, the rules was bent for Ronaldo. Oyinbo are the most corrupt people in the world.

This world cup will be won by Ronaldo. The last world cup was organised for Messi to win it.

Putindbutt:
If he had served one, what happened to the other two?. Why must FIFA put his ban on probationary?, something that has never happened before in football, that's a fraud check.
Nobody is afraid of Ronaldo, he has been at four World cups and nothing happened, so nobody is afraid of him. This is the problem with you people, you support criminality if it happens to favour the people you like but you cry foul if it was the opposite. Otamendi and Caicedo are going into the World Cup serving ban, why were they also not pampered?.

Guy stop crying like a kid.
Many players have been red carded and got their ban lifted through appeal.

An unknown quantity and his wayward vituperations

It was a capitalistic decision by FIFA.
Personally,I have no qualms with the decision.
It is what it is

Why always the hate on CR7

Hard work has always clears his ways

THE MOMENT FIFA SOLD THEIR SOUL WAS WHEN THEY GAVE RUSSIA SUSPENSION FOR WAR IN UKRAINE AND GAVE ISREAL FREE PASS FOR GENOCIDE IN GAZA DESPITE ISREAL KILLING EVERY PALESTINIAN PLAYERS AND DESTROYING THEIR SPORTS FACILITIES BECAUSE OF FEAR OF TRUMP AND USA.

FIFA AND OLYMPIC ORGANIZATION KILLED THEMSELVES LONG TIME AGO

I nor juz know why people get bad belle by default for this success world greatest young man o

Nwaokunkpara:
Why always the hate on CR7

Hard work has always clears his ways

I suppose use something hot the remaining teeth...

Werey person

Putindbutt:
If he had served one, what happened to the other two?. Why must FIFA put his ban on probationary?, something that has never happened before in football, that's a fraud check.
Nobody is afraid of Ronaldo, he has been at four World cups and nothing happened, so nobody is afraid of him. This is the problem with you people, you support criminality if it happens to favour the people you like but you cry foul if it was the opposite. Otamendi and Caicedo are going into the World Cup serving ban, why were they also not pampered?.

I completely agree with every sentence in this post but capitalism is the one true God especially in the West.No one wants to specifically watch world cup matches for otamendi or caicedo but they do for Cristiano

chiiraq802:
Eeehhhhyyyaaaa!!! sori no cry.

this is your short response to his long book of lamentations.

When u are great, u are great. Even saudi bend their rules for him to live with his fiance

WhiteIverson:
Guy stop crying like a kid.
Many players have been red carded and got their ban lifted through appeal.

Appeal yeah but was Ronaldo's red card appealed?. Can you even appeal a violent conduct?. You guys are supporting criminality because it favoured someone you like. Receive sense.

But but but FIFA rigged world cup for messi

When Messi won World cup
All Ronaldo fans and their mama was shouting that Fifa president rigged World Cup for Messi

Penaldo wey suppose dey retirement home dey chop him ban. Fifa president don do ojoro lift ban. Penaldo fans come switch mouth dey praise the same man they accused of rigging world cup for Messi

A Very useless fanbase of cry babies
World Cup wey Argentina go win again

Messi go use this one retire Ronaldo for Life

I believe the overriding reason why the appeal succeeded is because Ronaldo does not have a reputation as a violent or rough player. If you watch carefully, players that are known to be calm and gentle may get away with fouls that players known to be rough will be cautioned or red carded for.
For example tackle wey gattuso go collect red card for, if saka do the same tackle ref go just caution am with yellow or give am serious warning This is because he does not have a reputation as a rough player. Na so the thing be. So make una enjoy Christi for war cup

Ronaldo... GOAT for a reason

cr7lomo:
But this isn't the first time a player has had his ban reduced....why do they always target Ronaldo



In 2014, France defender Laurent koscielny was sent off for slapping Ukraines kucher in their first of the world cup play off ... like Ronaldo ,Laurent koscielny was meant to serve his 3 match ban , the 2nd leg play off and the first 2 games of the 2014 World Cup...but fifa reduced it to 1 game , allowing him to play in the world cup...

Croatias Mario mandzukic was also meant to miss the first 2 games in that world cup after getting a red card in the 2nd leg play off game against Iceland due to dangerous play.... his ban was reduced to 1 game ...he only missed the opener, he then played against Cameroon where he scored 2 goals in the 4 .0 win...

Towards the end of the 2006 world cup qualifiers ...Phillip cocu fir Netherlands was given a straight red card for a retaliation elbow on an Albanian player....fifa reduced his ban to 2 games which made him miss just the last 2 qualifiers against czech and Macedonia , so that he could play the opening game of the world cup in 2006...

Japans Makoto Hasebe was sent for an elbow on an opponent at the end of the 2010 world cup qualifiers...his ban was also reduced to 2 games and missed only the opener of that world cup ...

Wayne Rooney of Engkand was red-carded I the last game of the European qualifier ...he was initially banned for 3 games ...meaning that he would have missed the group stage
..but they reduced it to 2 ....

No one talked about all those situations....it has happened multiple times in leagues and champions league were 3 match bans were reduce after an appeal... Portugal appealed and it was reduced...but because its Ronaldo that has never received a single red card in 227 games for Portugal until this particular one.... his haters are attacking fifa ...

The late Paolo Rossi was banned for 3 yrs for match fixing for Italy in 1980... but just b4 the world cup , Italy appealed and it was reduced to 2 so he could participate at the 82 world cup in Spain..... he ended up winning it for Italy and was top scorer... so why are these haters on Ronaldos case ...as if its the first time it's ever happened

Omor...this one na football encyclopaedia!