CR10 walking a tightrope

Cristiano Ronaldo’s appeal against the yellow card he picked up against Cote d’Ivoire has been rejected by Fifa. The Real Madrid and Portugal ace was booked during the goalless draw on Tuesday and is now walking a disciplinary tightrope. If he is cautioned in his country’s next match against North Korea, he will miss their final group game against Brazil. Fifa have however backed their match officials and will not bow to Portugal’s pleas. "We have been told by FIFA it has rejected the appeal," said a Portugal spokesman. "It said it was not an error of fact, which happens for example when the wrong player is booked, and was at most an error in relation to the rules. In these cases the referee is sovereign, so FIFA has rejected our appeal." Ronaldo was cautioned after becoming involved in an off-the-ball altercation with Cote d’Ivoire full-back Guy Demel.