EURO 2024
Why wasn’t Cristiano Ronaldo sent off for dissent against Georgia in Euro 2024?
The ex-Real Madrid icon was booked for complaining to referee Sandro Schärer but avoided a red card despite later angry gestures.
Portugal had already qualified for the round of 16 at Euro 2024 ahead of their matchday three group game against Georgia, and had even secured their spot as Group F winner. Yet captain Cristiano Ronaldo wasn’t in the best of moods during the game in Gelsenkirchen, which could quite easily have led to him being sent off in the first half, if referee Sandro Schärer had applied UEFA’s new directive a little more firmly.
Why was Cristiano Ronaldo shown a yellow card against Georgia?
With his team 1-0 down to Kvicha Kvaratskhelia’s second-minute striker, Ronaldo was booked for dissent just before the half-hour mark, complaining to Schärer that his shirt had been pulled in the Georgian penalty box (which, in fairness, it had). Nothing was given, and the 39-year-old showed his unhappiness with the match official, which resulted in a yellow card.
On the stroke of half-time, teammate Pedro Neto was also booked, this time for simulation. Ronaldo again got in Schärer’s face to complain about the decision, although his furious arm waving and gesturing was considerably more than a quiet word, which captains are allowed to have with referees.
As he made his way from the field at half-time, he continued remonstrating with anyone who would listen, seemingly voicing his disbelief nobody had seen his shirt being pulled.
To add insult to injury for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Georges Mikautadze doubled Georgia’s lead from the penalty spot in the early stages of the second half, shortly before Ronaldo was substituted for Gonçalo Ramos.
Was Ronaldo lucky not to be sent off against Georgia?
Could the Al Nassr attacker have had any complaints if he had received a second yellow card? Probably not, considering UEFA have made a point of cracking down on players approaching referees and showing dissent at the tournament.
Manchester City duo Rodri and Phil Foden have both fallen foul of the new initiative while playing for Spain and England.
What are UEFA’s new guidelines on dissent?
Team captains, or designated players, are now the only players allowed to communicate with officials during matches, according to the new guidelines, However, Ronaldo certainly did more the simply “communicate” with Schärer, and can perhaps consider himself fortunate not to have been further punished.