Portugal to appeal Ronaldo yellow Friday, June 18, 2010
Portugal have called on Fifa to overturn the yellow card issued to Cristiano Ronaldo during their dour 0-0 draw with Ivory Coast.
"The Portuguese player was tripped and pushed near the Ivory Coast penalty box. As soon as he got up, he was surrounded by his opponents and then pushed and insulted," the Portuguese Football Federation said in a statement.
"Given these facts, there is a disparity in the showing of the cards, once the African player, who committed a foul received a yellow card, and the Portuguese player who simply tried to walk away from the situation received the same punishment."
Television replays showed Ronaldo exchanging words with Demel and other players before being booked.
A further yellow card later in the tournament would see the former Manchester United ace serve a mandatory one-match suspension, unless Portugal's pleas are heeded.
penalty box. As soon as he got up, he was surrounded by his opponents and then pushed and insulted," the Portuguese Football Federation said in a statement.
