India, Nov. 28 -- FIFA has been receiving plenty of criticism after bending the rules to ensure that Cristiano Ronaldo would be able to play in all of Portugal's matches at the World Cup next year. According to FIFA's disciplinary code for violent conduct, Ronaldo should have got a three-match ban for elbowing Dara O'Shea during Portugal's 2-0 loss to the Republic of Ireland in the qualifiers last month.

He served one match in the final qualifier against Armenia, but then FIFA's disciplinary committee changed the rule for Ronaldo, allowing him to play in Portugal's opening matches at the World Cup, stating that he had not received a red card in his previous 225 international appearances. The two match bans will now be activated only if h...