By Dr talal osman
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said that the red card that Cristiano Ronaldo received against Ireland was harsh, after the striker was sent off for the first time in his international career during the team's 2 - 0 defeat in Ireland in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers yesterday, Thursday.Ronaldo initially received a yellow card for an elbow strike on the back of Irish defender Dara O'Shea, but the referee increased the penalty to a red card after reviewing the video assistant referee technology.This was the first time Ronaldo had been sent off in 226 matches with his country.Martinez told reporters: «I think the expulsion was a bit harsh, as he cares about the team. He spent about 60 minutes inside the penalty area being pulled, pushed and grabbed, clearly trying to get away from the defender».He added: «I think the movement looks worse than it actually is. I don't think it was an elbow strike, but rather a push to the body, but from the camera angle it looks like an elbow strike, so we accept it.».Martinez also questioned Heimer's comments...
about «Ronaldo's control of the referee» in the two teams' match in Lisbon last month, which Portugal won 1-0.Martinez said: «The only thing that makes me bitter is that in the press conference (before the match), the Ireland coach was talking about the influence of the referees, and then a huge centre-back unexpectedly fell to the ground when Cristiano rotated with his body».Portugal, which has secured at least a place in the play-off, leads Group F with 10 points, two points ahead of Hungary, which is in second place, and Ireland occupies third place in the group with seven points.Portugal will host Armenia, and Ireland will host Hungary in the final round on Sunday.
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