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Cristiano Ronaldo has escaped THREE red cards this season after horror incidents with Fraser, Jones and O’Shea

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CRISTIANO RONALDO escaped ANTOHER red card on Monday as he was only booked for a wild challenge on Newcastle’s Ryan Fraser.

And that was the THIRD time this season the Portuguese superstar has not been sent off when he easily could have been.

Cristiano Ronaldo wiped out Ryan Fraser at speed and was only bookedCredit: Getty

Harry Kane also escaped a stonewall red card for a terrible shin-high, studs-up tackle on Liverpool’s Andy Robertson this month.

The Ronaldo and Kane incidents have led to fans suggesting big stars with big reputations are shown unfair leniency by referees.

But former Premier League ref Mark Halsey exclusively told SunSport he does not think that is the case.

The 60-year-old said: “You referee what’s in front of you. It doesn’t matter if you’re refereeing Ronaldo, Kane or any of the top players.

“If they commit a challenge that is serious foul play, I would show a red card.”

Here, with the help of Halsey, SunSport looks at all three occasions legendary forward Ronaldo could, and perhaps should, have seen red this season.

WILD FOUL ON NEWCASTLE’S RYAN FRASER

The frustrated forward steamed in and looked to smash the ball in anger, but Fraser got there first.

Ronaldo followed through and wiped out the Newcastle midfielder.

United’s No 7 went into the referee’s book – but could be deemed fortunate he escaped with nothing more severe.

Halsey said: “They come at it from different angles at 100mph and you’re going to have that sort of contact.

“That challenge was subjective but I think Craig Pawson got it right and a caution was the right outcome.”

Rival fans were not impressed he wasn’t shown his marching orders.

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One wrote: “Cristiano Ronaldo destroyed Fraser. What was he even thinking? How did he not get a red card for this? That was dangerous by Ronaldo.”

Another added: “What does Ronaldo have to do this season to get a red card?”

And one said: “Embarrassing inconsistency by the refereeing body especially after the [Harry] Kane/ [Andy] Robertson controversy last week.”

KICKING CURTIS JONES ON THE FLOOR VS LIVERPOOL

In October, Ronaldo left Liverpool defender Andy Robertson fuming after kicking out at Curtis Jones during United’s 5-0 defeat.

With his side 4-0 down after just 45 minutes, the former Real Madrid man showed his frustration in first-half injury time as he aggressively kicked out at midfielder Jones while the ball was underneath him.

This provoked an instant reaction from the Liverpool players, namely Robertson who sprinted over to Ronaldo and pointed in his face, furious at the 36-year-old’s actions.

Despite Liverpool’s anger, referee Anthony Taylor opted to show the Portuguese forward a yellow card instead of a red.

At the time of the incident a concerned Gary Neville said on commentary: “His [Ronaldo’s] head’s gone here.”

Halsey said: “I thought he could have easily been sent off.

“I think he was using the ball as an excuse.

“It’s like kicking an opponent. The ball is like an extension of the foot.

“He knew what he was doing and for me it was an act of violent conduct.”

Ronaldo kicked Curtis Jones while he was on the floor but wasn’t sent offCredit: AFP

LASHING OUT AT IRELAND’S DARA O’SHEA

In September, Ronaldo lashed out at Ireland’s Dara O’Shea before missing a penalty for Portugal.

And the United star’s actions prompted Irish fans to question whether he deserved to stay on the pitch.

A mistake from Jeff Hendrick conceded the spot-kick to Bruno Fernandes nine minutes into the World Cup qualifier.

And Ronaldo grabbed the ball before an agonising wait for VAR to confirm the foul at Estadio Algarve.

However, Republic of Ireland defender O’Shea decided to play some mind games as Ronnie was waiting.

He cheekily kicked the ball off the penalty spot, but Ronaldo was not impressed.

The ex-Real Madrid and Juventus man batted O’Shea away angrily with one arm, forcing the West Brom ace to grab his head in pain

But Ronaldo, who was not punished by the ref, then had his penalty saved by Manchester City goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu in just his fifth cap for Ireland.

Halsey said: “A caution was correct.

“The player is trying to get him sent off.

“If he had pushed him in the face or head it might have been a different outcome.

“But as it was his shoulders, the officials got it spot on.”

However, some Irish fans questioned whether Ronaldo should have even been on the pitch to take the penalty.

One said: “In the Premier League, that is a red card.”

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Another tweeted: “Red all day lmao.”

One questioned: “How is that not a red?”

Another noted: “Any other player gets sent off there.”

Ronaldo swatted Dara O’Shea away as the Irishman was trying to put him off before a penaltyCredit: Sky Sports

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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk

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