Cristiano Ronaldo continues to dominate the world of football with the Portuguese international attracting comments that he was favoured by FIFA.

Ronaldo’s journey throughout the summer and into the autumn has not exactly been smooth, too.

Disappointment in the World Cup. Clashing with Jorge Jesus. Leaving the Portuguese national team camp during the international break. Drastic steps, certainly.

Yet, just a matter of months ago, there were question marks about whether Cristiano Ronaldo would be allowed to play in the World Cup altogether.

After being handed a straight red card against Ireland in World Cup qualification last November, Ronaldo was left facing a three-match suspension (which would have meant missing some games at the World Cup).

FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee later changed his sanction, handing him a one-match ban whilst suspending the other two on a one year probationary period.

The decision attracted much criticism at the time and has now been criticized by former England manager Gareth Southgate.

Speaking on The Amol Rajan Connection, Southgate said: “Well, you’re interfering with the refereeing of the game. So, you know, there is a referee, then there is a disciplinary panel, and that should be it.

“Even before the World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo, he had a suspension that was overhanging.

“He did an appearance at an event that looked to be linked to FIFA and lo and behold, you know, he was allowed to play in the first game of the World Cup.”

Southgate went onto question whether the outcome would have been the same for a player less famous than Ronaldo.

“Had he not been Cristiano Ronaldo — and I think he’s a wonderful player, by the way — I don’t think that would have happened,” the former England boss said.

The lines between independent decision making and outside influence were arguably blurred during this summer’s World Cup, and provide a substantial risk heading into the future.

FIFA’s management of that blur will be essential to its credibility as an organization and its ability to successfully carry out international tournaments in the future.

Whilst Cristiano Ronaldo is unlikely to be playing in those tournaments, the management of his situation could be something that has an extended impact into those competitions.