Ronaldo deserved red card, says Queiroz

AFP, SARANSK: Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo should have been sent off for an elbow during Monday’s 1-1 draw at the World Cup.

Ronaldo was booked after 83 minutes of the Group B clash for catching Iran defender Morteza Pouraliganji, with the incident reviewed by the referee on a pitchside monitor.

“I don’t want to talk too much, it’s about my country and a player. I know it’ll be a war against me,” said Queiroz, who coached his native Portugal at the 2010 finals in South Africa.

“But the reality is you stopped the game for VAR, there is an elbow. An elbow is a red card in the rules. In the rules it doesn’t say if it is (Lionel) Messi or Ronaldo...”

“It is a red card,” he repeated. “It is not about the referee. It’s about the attitude, the bravery and the character, the decisions must be clear for everybody.

Ronaldo missed a second-half penalty in Saransk as Portugal survived a late scare against Iran to set up a last-16 meeting with Uruguay.

Portugal finished runners-up behind Spain, as Iran fell just short of reaching the knockout phase for the first time at a World Cup.

Ronaldo deserved red card, says Queiroz

AFP, SARANSK: Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo should have been sent off for an elbow during Mondays 1-1 draw at the World Cup. Ronaldo was booked after 83 minutes of the Group B clash for catching Iran defender Morteza Pouraliganji, with the incident reviewed by the referee on a pitchside monitor. I dont want to talk too much, its about my country and a player. I know itll be a war against me, said Queiroz, who coached his native Portugal at the 2010 finals in South Africa. But the reality is you stopped the game for VAR, there is an elbow. An elbow is a red card in the rules. In the rules it doesnt say if it is (Lionel) Messi or Ronaldo... It is a red card, he repeated. It is not about the referee. Its about the attitude, the bravery and the character, the decisions must be clear for everybody. Ronaldo missed a second-half penalty in Saransk as Portugal survived a late scare against Iran to set up a last-16 meeting with Uruguay. Portugal finished runners-up behind Spain, as Iran fell just short of reaching the knockout phase for the first time at a World Cup.