VAR Review: Why was Cristiano Ronaldo sent off for Portugal?

Cristiano Ronaldo’s yellow was upgraded to a red after VAR-recommended on-field review for a deliberate swinging elbow, leaving his team down to 10. Betting impact: avoid backing Ronaldo for goal/man-of-match and consider card markets or higher odds for the opposition and under 2.5 goals after the dismissal.

Ronaldo sent off after VAR-recommended on-field review

What happened

59th minute: with the Republic of Ireland defending their box, an off-the-ball clash left Ireland’s defender on the floor. Cristiano Ronaldo reacted by making a gesture implying a dive, and the on-field referee initially issued a yellow card for an aggressive attitude.

VAR intervention and on-field review

The VAR reviewed footage and recommended an on-field review (OFR) for possible violent conduct. The assistant VAR judged the replay showed a deliberate swinging elbow by Ronaldo that carried sufficient force to meet the threshold for violent conduct. After consulting his pitchside monitor, the referee rescinded the yellow and produced a red card.

How the decision fits the laws of the game

The decision focused on the action rather than the point of contact. Under the laws, a red-card offence can be given when "a player strikes or attempts to strike an opponent." The elbow was judged to be a deliberate aggressive action, meeting the standard for violent conduct even if the contact point was not to the head. The incident was off the ball and not fully visible to on-field officials in real time, explaining the initial hesitation and subsequent VAR intervention.

Referee and VAR process explained

When officials miss an off-the-ball incident, VAR provides the mechanism to piece together events from multiple angles. The assistant VAR’s recommendation for an OFR prompted the referee to review the footage on the pitchside monitor and change the sanction. This sequence—VAR recommendation, referee review, and sanction upgrade—illustrates the protocol for serious disciplinary decisions.

Betting implications

A red card to a star player alters match dynamics and market value quickly. Punters should avoid markets that rely on the sent-off player (goals, assists, man-of-the-match). Consider: - Card markets: red-card frequency and player-specific card props. - Match markets: increased probability of the opposition gaining control, potential value in backing the opponents or switching to under 2.5 goals if the game becomes more defensive. - In-play: watch for immediate tactical shifts after the dismissal before placing further bets.

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