Portuguese football chiefs are set to make an appeal to FIFA about reducing Cristiano Ronaldo’s ban to rescue his World Cup dream.Ronaldo was sent off for the first time in his international career during his country’s 2-0 defeat to Ireland on Thursday.FIFA’s disciplinary committee will determine Ronaldo’s fateGettyThe 40-year-old was sent off for striking Dara O’Shea with a flailing elbow during Portugal‘s loss in Dublin following a VAR intervention.His red card automatically carries a one-match suspension, meaning the forward will be suspended for the final qualifier against Armenia.However, a disciplinary committee could increase his ban for violent conduct, which only applies to competitive Portugal matches.As a result, Ronaldo would sit out the World Cup opener, should A Selecao beat Armenia and he receives a two-game suspension. Perhaps even worse would be if Hungary usurp Roberto Martinez’s men to top spot in Group F, condemning them to the playoffs, and their talisman could wind up missing the semi-final and even the final if he’s sidelined for three games.A Bola report that the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) will plead with FIFA to reduce Ronaldo’s ban to a single match.Their argument is said to hinge on three factors: firstly, the environment at the Aviva Stadium, which they describe as ‘hostile’.Portugal attributes that atmosphere to Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson’s comments about their skipper pre-match.The 58-year-old claimed Ronaldo had ‘controlled the referee’ during a 1-0 defeat for the Boys in Green during last month’s reverse fixture.Ronaldo himself had words for Icelandic Hallgrimsson after his red card, ironically feeling that he was ‘putting pressure on the referee’.It was a night of red mist for Ronaldo in DublinGettyHis suspension can’t be served during friendliesAFPFIFA to reduce Cristiano Ronaldo’s ban?Secondly, Portugal will also look to highlight the build-up to their captain’s red mist, which saw him grappling with O’Shea.The FPF will argue that Ronaldo acted instinctively at being repeatedly grabbed, rather than any premeditated act of aggression.Finally, FIFA will also be asked to consider the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s previously impeccable international disciplinary record.Ronaldo, who was infamously involved in Wayne Rooney’s dismissal at the 2006 World Cup, had never been shown one for his country.However, his epic run came to an emphatic end on his 226th cap, which fittingly may now carry over to football’s grandest stage.Ronaldo was sent off for an elbow during Portugal’s 2-0 defeat to IrelandGettyRonaldo’s red card recordThroughout his whole career, the ex-Manchester United star has now only been sent off 13 times, with Dublin obviously being the latest.Thursday’s red card was Ronaldo’s first since April 2024, when he was given his marching orders against Al Hilal.That sending off was also for violent conduct, as he appeared to throw another elbow before being jeered off the pitch.His nightmare evening in Dublin ironically came after he made a promise to be ‘a good boy’ in the fixture.