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Cristiano Ronaldo’s reduced punishment for his red card against the Republic of Ireland has sparked fury across social media, with fans accusing FIFA of "bending the rules" to ensure the Portugal captain is available for the first games of the World Cup. The decision to convert what many expected to be a multi-match violent conduct ban into a one-game ban with two games suspended has ignited a fierce debate.

Getty ImagesRonaldo set to play World Cup opener after suspended ban

Ronaldo’s sending off against the Republic of Ireland – the first red card of his international career – initially looked certain to trigger a multi-match ban that would impact Portugal’s opening fixtures at the 2026 World Cup. After VAR upgraded his yellow card to a straight red for elbowing Dara O’Shea off the ball, disciplinary precedents suggested a minimum two or three-match suspension for violent conduct. Instead, FIFA’s disciplinary committee downgraded the immediate consequences, ruling that Ronaldo’s offence would result in just a single-match ban, which he has already served, while placing a further two games on a suspended sanction valid for the next 365 days.

The unexpected leniency has caused significant backlash, not least because the incident involved no attempt to play the ball and came amid previous flashpoints between the same two players. Although Portugal cruised to a 9-1 win over Armenia without him, many observers believed Ronaldo would miss at least one match at the World Cup due to the severity of the elbow. Instead, he will be eligible for Portugal’s tournament opener, a decision some feel undermines the disciplinary standards applied to other players in similar situations.

The ruling has been attributed partly to Ronaldo’s previously clean international record and the fact that this was his first-ever red card at national team level. Nonetheless, the decision has ignited a widespread debate about consistency, transparency and whether the governing body has acted in the broader interests of fairness or commercial appeal.

AdvertisementFans outraged by FIFA 'bending the rules'

Across X (formerly Twitter), supporters from around the world erupted in disbelief and anger at what many saw as preferential treatment for Ronaldo.

@Shaun_Hall23 wrote: "It’s an absolute disgrace, the amount of players that have missed huge games for suspensions over the years. Makes a mockery of the game."

@Kop_101x added: "Bending the rules just so he can play in the World Cup is shocking. He assaulted another player, and should be punished accordingly and with precedent."

@notassedLFC accused FIFA of financial motivation: "FIFA know Ronaldo generates money. Him not playing opening World Cup game loses them money. Typical. If this was a Scottish player for example from a small country he’d be banned for all 3."

@CarlSwietlik didn’t hold back either, saying: "May as well just have no rules or punishment for violent conduct then 🤦‍♂️ absolute fucking shambles. State of football man."

@HHHendricks1 even joked that the ruling harms Portugal: "As much as this is completely predictable it is absolutely insane that they have given him blatant preferential treatment! Funniest part is that this actually punishes Portugal 😂😂😂 They are much better side with him not in it!"

@Ratidoking added sarcastically: "As a Messi fan, I prayed for him not to be ban, now we can enjoy his comedy, he thinks world cup is friendly match."

The reactions closed with one final jab from @Dantes__Infern0: "This means Portugal will playing with 10 men in the world cup??"

Getty Images SportRonaldo's 'violent conduct' red card against Republic of Ireland

Ronaldo’s controversial red card came in a chaotic qualifier in Dublin, where Portugal had already fallen 2-0 behind, setting the stage for an evening of frustration that boiled over in the second half. After tussling with O’Shea, the Portugal captain swung an elbow into the defender's back off the ball – an action spotted by VAR and upgraded to violent conduct. Ronaldo responded to the dismissal by ironically applauding the home crowd, further inflaming what was already a hostile atmosphere inside the Aviva Stadium.

The severity of the contact and the lack of any attempt to play the ball fuelled immediate speculation that FIFA’s disciplinary committee would impose a minimum two-game ban, especially given historical rulings on similar incidents. However, Ronaldo’s spotless international disciplinary record appears to have played a decisive role, with the committee concluding that a harsher sentence was not necessary. The decision has therefore amplified concerns about consistency, particularly as similar or lesser acts by lower-profile players have routinely resulted in multi-match bans.

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CR7 free to play Portugal's World Cup opener

Portugal will now move into tournament preparations knowing Ronaldo is fully available for their 2026 World Cup opener, barring any further disciplinary incidents before the tournament. Manager Roberto Martínez is expected to name him in the starting XI without hesitation, though he will need the veteran forward to avoid any repeat confrontations that could activate the suspended two-game ban.

There was chaos after Shanaka was initially given out caught behind, then found short of his crease, but given not out for both

Shashank Kishore27-Sep-2025Why was Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka ruled not out even though he was run-out by Sanju Samson off the fourth ball of the Super Over against India in the Asia Cup game on Friday?For a while, confusion reigned when Shanaka ventured out of his crease after missing a yorker from Arshdeep Singh, who went up in an appeal for a caught behind, while Samson threw the ball at the stumps to find the batter short. But the umpire had given Shanaka out caught behind after a bit of contemplation, and Shanaka referred the decision upstairs to the third umpire Masudur Rahman. After replays confirmed there was no bat involved, Shanaka was ruled not out for the caught behind and for the run out too. It was the timing of the umpire signalling out initially for the caught behind – after Samson’s direct hit – that led to the confusion.MCC’s law states that “the ball will be deemed to be dead from the instant of the incident causing the dismissal”. In this case, that incident was the caught-behind appeal, which meant the ball had been dead when Samson tried to run Shanaka out. With replays proving Shanaka didn’t nick the ball, he was immediately deemed not out, even though India captain Suryakumar Yadav seemed to enquire with the umpires about the decision.Related

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“According to the rules, if you appeal for the catch, then Dasun could go up to the third umpire,” coach Sanath Jayasuriya said of what he made of the appeal. “It was the first decision that counts always, not the second. So he went for the referral, and it was not out. That’s what happened. But overall, I think there are a few grey areas [in terms of the rules at large] that they [officials] have to finetune a bit.”However, Shanaka was out next ball when he sliced one to deep third as Sri Lanka lost both their wickets five balls into the Super Over to set India just three runs to go into the final unbeaten. Suryakumar then thumped Wanindu Hasaranga first ball through the covers to seal India’s victory.

Chasing a DLS-revised target of 125 in 12 overs, Heat were undone by two-wicket bursts from Molly Strano, Heather Graham and Nicola Carey

AAP15-Nov-2025

Lizelle Lee’s big hits gave Hobart Hurricanes enough runs despite a long rain interruption•Getty Images

Lizelle Lee kept Hobart Hurricanes rolling, and Brisbane Heat winless thanks to a power-packed knock in their rain-impacted 16-run WBBL win in Sydney on Saturday.Lee hit an unbeaten 59 off 45 balls, striking six fours and three sixes either side of a rain delay on Saturday. Hurricanes were flying before their innings was reduced to 12 overs and they purred to 114 for 1, with Heat’s target increased to 125 based on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern system.Jess Jonassen (1 for 12 from three overs) and Lucy Hamilton (0 for 26 off three) were the only Heat bowlers to escape punishment.Danni Wyatt-Hodge (44 in 26 balls) combined with Lee in a 106-run opening stand, which only ended in the final over.Grace Harris (28 in 21) hung in as Heat lost regular wickets attempting to maintain the scoring rate and finished at 108 for 9 thanks to a last-ball six from Sianna Ginger.Molly Strano (2 for 17), Heather Graham (2 for 25) and Nicola Carey (2 for 10) proved too clever for the Heat batters.The loss was Heat’s third straight to begin the season while Hurricanes sit on top of the table with three wins.

All the records that the South Africa batter broke on his Test debut against Zimbabwe

Sampath Bandarupalli28-Jun-202519 years, 93 days Lhuan-dre Pretorius’ age on Saturday, when he scored 153 in the first Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. He became the youngest batter to score 150 in Test cricket, bettering Javed Miandad, who was 19 years and 119 days old when he notched up 163 against New Zealand on the opening day of the Lahore Test in 1976.4 Number of players younger than Pretorius with a hundred on their Test debut. Three of those four have done it in the second innings on debut.1 Pretorius is also the youngest among seven South African men to score a hundred on their Test debut. In fact, no man younger than Pretorius had scored a fifty in any format for South Africa in International cricket. His hundred off 112 balls is also the fastest for South Africa on debut.157 Balls that Pretorius needed for his 150 against Zimbabwe. It is the fastest 150 for South Africa in Tests, a record previously held by AB de Villiers, who had achieved it off 162 balls against Australia in 2012 (where data is available).His effort is also the second fastest by a debutant in Tests, only behind Shikhar Dhawan, who got to his 150 in only 131 balls against Australia in 2013.4 Batters to have scored a century on their Test debut as well as their first-class debut. Pretorius had scored 120 on his first-class debut in December last year against the Warriors. Gundappa Viswanath, Dirk Wellham and Prithvi Shaw are the other players to have achieved this feat.38 Balls that Dewald Brevis needed for his half-century on Saturday, the fastest by a debutant for South Africa in Tests. The previous quickest was by Dave Nourse, who scored a fifty off 40 balls on his debut against Australia in 1902. Brevis’ 38-ball effort is also the joint-fourth fastest on debut in men’s Tests.95 Partnership runs between Pretorius and Brevis for the fifth wicket. It is the highest partnership between two debutants for South Africa in men’s Tests. The previous highest was 92 between Andrew Hudson and Adrian Kuiper, also for the fifth wicket against West Indies in 1992.

Former allrounder had been in interim role since Dale Benkenstein’s departure

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Oct-2025

Steven Croft spent his entire playing career with Lancashire•Getty Images

Lancashire have confirmed Steven Croft as their new head coach after a successful period in the interim role.Croft stepped up after the departure of Dale Benkenstein in May. Lancashire did not win a game during the first half of the County Championship season, but rallied to finish fifth in Division Two, as well as reaching T20 Blast Finals Day.”It means so much to have the honour of being named head coach of this great club,” Croft said. “Lancashire has been a huge part of my life – from joining the academy as a young player, to captaining the team, and now stepping into this role off the field.”I’m incredibly proud of how the lads responded last season, and I’m excited for what’s ahead. We have a talented, driven squad who are passionate about representing the Red Rose and I believe there is much more to come.”My focus now is on building on the second half of last season’s progress, helping each player improve, and bring success back to the club for our members and supporters at Emirates Old Trafford.”Croft, 41, was part of the team when Lancashire last won the Championship in 2011. He retired in 2023 after playing more than 600 times for the club.Mark Chilton, Lancashire’s director of cricket performance, said: “We are thrilled that Steven has accepted the role permanently after making such a strong impression this summer.”Taking over during a challenging period in May, Steven displayed outstanding leadership throughout this summer. His passion for Lancashire Cricket, knowledge and understanding of the game, and ability to connect with players made him the outstanding candidate.”He will take a hands-on role in the leading of day-to-day coaching of the first team and will be supported by a restructured cricket department – including assistant coach Will Porterfield – with further appointments to follow.”

Tottenham chiefs are believed to be assessing their options ahead of the looming January transfer window, which opens in just over a month’s time, and Thomas Frank reportedly wants to reinforce his attacking options.

On the pitch, all eyes turn towards this weekend’s looming North London derby as Frank’s side dream of their first Premier League win at the Emirates Stadium since 2011.

Frank also heads into his first derby clash as Spurs boss in testing circumstances, nursing a crippling injury crisis as he also navigates an inconsistent run of form. With as many as 11 first-team players currently sidelined, the Dane’s squad depth is pretty stretched for one of the Premier League’s most high-stakes fixtures.

Dejan Kulusevski

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James Maddison

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Radu Dragusin

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via Premier Injuries

His preparations took another worrying turn when midfielder Pape Sarr limped off during Senegal’s friendly against Brazil, though his international manager, Pape Thiaw, then provided a reassuring update which suggested the knock wasn’t serious.

The injury list makes for grim reading. Randal Kolo Muani, Archie Gray, Ben Davies, Radu Dragusin, Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Dominic Solanke, Yves Bissouma and Kota Takai are just some of the names on Tottenham’s large absentee list, with a good few not expected back in time for the Arsenal clash.

Solanke is apparently “unlikely” to make his return against Mikel Arteta’s side as the striker continues his recovery from minor ankle surgery, while Kolo Muani fractured his jaw against Man United, and it remains to be seen how long the summer signing will be out for.

Mohammed Kudus should recover from a knock to face Arsenal, offering some attacking relief, while Lucas Bergvall could return after completing concussion protocols following his head injury against Chelsea — even if he was sent home from Sweden international duty after a ‘setback’.

Taking into account the club’s fitness issues which have plagued the Lilywhites since the start of Ange Postecoglou’s final season in charge, it is no surprise that they’re considering moves in the winter transfer market to reinforce Frank’s options.

Tottenham tried and failed to sign Man City winger Savinho in the summer, and it is believed that another wide-forward is very much still on the agenda at N17.

Takefusa Kubo could be tempted to join Tottenham in January

Real Sociedad star Takefusa Kubo is a player who’s long been linked with a move to Spurs.

Some reports even suggest that the north Londoners have made ‘several’ failed attempts to sign the Japan international, but they’ve been given some encouragement in the build up to January as it is claimed that Kubo is keen on Spurs as a landing spot.

His contract reportedly includes a £52 million release clause, and journalist Pete O’Rourke has told Football Insider that Kubo could still be intrigued by a move to Tottenham this winter amid Sociedad’s worrying form which sees them hovering just three points above the relegation zone.

O’Rourke also calls Kubo a “top player” who’d tick a lot of boxes for Frank.

The 24-year-old, who left Real Madrid after successive loan spells away to join Sociedad permanently in 2022, averaged more successful take-ons per 90 than any of his teammates in La Liga last season (WhoScored), and more than any Tottenham player managed in England that campaign too.

Predominantly a right-winger, Kubo appears unlikely to threaten Kudus’ place in the side given his exceptional start, but can operate as both a central attacking playmaker and even a second-striker, which may well appeal to Frank.

The presence of a release clause means that Spurs can bypass negotiations with Sociedad by triggering it and entering talks with the player himself.

Kubo’s signing could also open up commercial opportunities in the Asian market, something which Tottenham have missed since club legend and South Korea icon Son Heung-min departed for Los Angeles FC in the summer.

Make no mistake, this could be one to keep an eye on, and Kubo has been tipped to become an eventual superstar by those who’ve worked with him.

Cheteshwar Pujara also questioned India’s approach and shot selection on the turning Kolkata pitch

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Nov-2025

A dejected Ravindra Jadeja walks back for 18•AFP/Getty Images

India are going through a period of transition in Test cricket, but Cheteshwar Pujara will not accept it as an excuse for losing a Test at home.After India lost their first Test to South Africa, collapsing to 93 all out in the final innings, Pujara questioned the India batters’ approach on a pitch that had uneven bounce and turn from day one, but also said the batters were not the only ones to be blamed.”I don’t buy this that India are losing at home because of transition. I can’t digest that,” Pujara said on JioStar after India lost by 30 runs in Kolkata. “If you lose in England or Australia because of transition, it could be acceptable. But this team has the talent and potential. You look at the first-class record of all the players – Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill… Washy [Washington Sundar] batted at No. 3 in this game – all their records are so good. Still if you lose at home that means something is wrong.Related

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“If you had played the same match on a good wicket, there were much better chances of [India] winning. How do you define Test cricket? On what kind of a wicket are your chances better of winning? On such tracks, your chances decrease and the opposition is at par with you. There’s so much talent in India, even an India A side could beat South Africa. So if you say this loss is because of transition, it’s not acceptable.”After the match, where 189 was the best innings total and only one half-century was scored largely due to the sharp turn, up-and-down bounce and rough patches that made batting a challenge, India head coach Gautam Gambhir had clarified that it was “exactly the pitch we were looking for”.Even though India have often preferred rank turners to gain their home advantage, their choice of such a track in the wake of the 3-0 whitewash to New Zealand at home last year and now this loss – their fourth in the last six home Tests – has raised questions.4:55

Philander: ‘On that surface 123 was like 350-400’

“You can’t just blame the batters on this kind of a wicket because firstly if you want to play on such wickets, your preparation has to be different,” Pujara said. “Gauti said they asked for this kind of a wicket but it wasn’t easy to bat on. Look at the stats of both teams – only one batter scored a fifty so it shows it wasn’t a good wicket.”If you want to play on such tracks, your batters have to be prepared accordingly and it didn’t look like they were prepared. On such wickets, you have to play different kind of shots, like rely more on sweeps, play a little positive, try to move the scoreboard. But there was an expectation that this wicket would be a bit decent, it would have some turn, and you can bat well and score runs. But this wicket wasn’t like that. If the Indian team wants such turning wickets where the ball turns from ball one, then the batters’ approach will have to be different.”That 3-0 last year had cost India a place in the WTC final and this defeat to South Africa has seen them slip to fourth position on the current WTC table, behind Australia, South Africa and Sri Lanka.The second and final Test of the series begins on November 22 in Guwahati. After this series, India’s next WTC series will be two matches in Sri Lanka in August next year. India’s next home series is more than a year away from now, when they host Australia for five Tests in January-February 2027.

With no Australia or England in the final, we will have a first-time ODI world champion for certain by the end of Sunday night in Navi Mumbai

Vishal Dikshit01-Nov-20251:52

WWC final: Mandhana vs Kapp the key contest

Big picture – India, South Africa on the cusp of historyThe two finalists at this World Cup have crossed many barriers in the last decade or so and even over the last month.South Africa pulled themselves together after the embarrassment of 69 all out and 97 all out, while India made it to the knockouts without beating any of the three teams that finished above them on the points table. South Africa unearthed new finishers. India unearthed new heroes. Both teams took on their nemesis in the knockouts, with South Africa breaking the hoodoo England have had over them and India enthralling the home crowd by overpowering the Australians.So now we have the first ODI World Cup final that features neither Australia nor England and the prospect of a brand new world champion.Related

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By sending back two of the strongest teams in history, both India and South Africa stand of the cusp of history. The winner could reshape the contours of the women’s game in their homeland, if not globally. Both countries are still grappling with deep-rooted issues that hinder women’s access to education, employment and much else. Irrespective of the outcome on Sunday, the occasion has the power to establish players like Nonkululeko Mlaba and Kranti Gaud – who overcame enormous hurdles growing up in under-resourced regions – as household names and encourage young women, and their parents, to make them the next Smriti Mandhana or Marizanne Kapp.South Africa will be tasked with the challenge of not only quieting a 30,000-plus crowd, but also adapting to the conditions in Navi Mumbai, where they have yet to play a game this World Cup. India, on the other hand, will turn up at DY Patil stadium for their fourth game in a row. They won the previous three. South Africa have had more time to recover from their semi-final high. India not quite as much. In a game with this much at stake, even the finest margins matter.The last time a women’s World Cup was staged here, the marquee event was relegated to smaller grounds because men’s domestic cricket was more popular. The prize money was hardly comparable with that in the men’s game, and bringing in crowds was a major task. The Lord’s final in 2017 was the first big break for women’s cricket. MCG took things to a different level in 2020. Navi Mumbai has a lot to live up to and early signs are that it will not disappoint.2:43

WWC final: Who are the players that can change the game?

Form guideIndia WWLLL
South Africa WLWWWIn the spotlight – Shafali Verma and Nadine de KlerkShafali Verma was plucked out of domestic T20s and put in as India’s opener in the semi-final. She bashed a couple of boundaries but Australia found a way through her soon enough. She will want to do better against South Africa, and previous evidence suggests she could. Shafali smashed a 53 off 46 against them at the 2022 World Cup. In 2024, she also hammered a Test double-century. The conditions are ripe and the time is apt for Shafali to put up a score and put the World Cup snub – she wasn’t picked in the original squad – behind her.Nadine de Klerk took this World Cup by storm with a stunning knock against India – 84 not out off 54 balls – in the league stage and hasn’t looked back. She has struck ten sixes this tournament (joint-highest with Richa Ghosh), dispatched a boundary every 4.8 balls (joint-highest with Alyssa Healy) and boasts the best strike rate, of 136.69. South Africa may want to give her more time in the middle than the six balls she faced in the semi-final. Navi Mumbai offers good batting conditions and she can do a lot of damage.3:12

WWC final – Will India go with Radha Yadav or Sneh Rana?

Team news: Extra bowler for South Africa?India may have finally found their best XI in the semi-final, with batting depth till No. 8 and six bowling options. Radha Yadav was expensive on Thursday and Sneh Rana might be an option to replace her, except South Africa’s entire batting line-up is right-handed, so holding onto the left-arm spinner might work better than swapping her out for an offspinner.India (possible): 1. Smriti Mandhana, 2 Shafali Verma, 3 Jemimah Rodrigues, 4 Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), 5 Deepti Sharma, 6 Richa Ghosh (wk), 7 Amanjot Kaur, 8 Radha Yadav/Sneh Rana, 9 Kranti Gaud, 10, Shree Charani, 11 Renuka SinghHard-hitting opener Tazmin Brits hurt her shoulder on Wednesday in Guwahati but insisted she would play the final, which leaves South Africa with a combination question. They batted till No. 9 against England, and reducing a batting option – Anneke Bosch or Annerie Dercksen – for a bowler – Masabata Klaas – may not be a bad idea if the pitch is flat.South Africa (possible): 1 Laura Wolvaardt (capt), 2 Tazmin Brits, 3 Anneke Bosch/Masabata Klaas, 4 Sune Luus, 5 Marizanne Kapp, 6 Sinalo Jafta (wk), 7 Annerie Dercksen, 8 Chloe Tryon, 9 Nadine de Klerk, 10 Ayabonga Khaka, 11 Nonkululeko MlabaPitch and conditions: Reserve day availableIt’s a bit incomprehensible that it’s still raining in and around Mumbai in November. Unseasonal rains have been experienced over many parts of the country recently and more is expected on Sunday, especially after 5pm.Conditions in Navi Mumbai will likely favour the batters, as they have so far, with dew possibly coming into the picture as well. There is a reserve day in case even a truncated match cannot be completed on Sunday. Play will resume on Monday, instead of starting over from the beginning, if the action spills over.2:27

WWC final – Can India come down from their high in time?

Stats and trivia: SA have the edge over India in recent World Cup games Nonkululeko Mlaba has kept Smriti Mandhana fairly quiet in ODIs, conceding 67 runs off 81 balls while also dismissing her three times. Jemimah Rodrigues facing her Delhi Capitals team-mate Marizane Kapp could be a battle to watch out for. Kapp has dismissed Rodrigues twice, while giving away only 16 runs in 40 balls Kapp has also troubled Harmanpreet Kaur, having removed her four times for 67 runs in 80 balls Deepti Sharma will be looking to restrain the in-form Laura Wolvaardt, who has a strike rate of only 54.91 (95 runs off 173 balls) in this head-to-head. Deepti has also dismissed Wolvaardt thrice. South Africa have beaten India in each of their last three World Cup contests India are set to play their third ODI World Cup final, after 2005 and 2017. No team has played three finals and not lifted the trophy South Africa have struck 31 sixes this World Cup, the most by any team Wolvaardt (470) is 40 runs away from becoming the top-scorer in a single edition of a World Cup. Alyssa Healy holds the record with 509 during the 2022 edition