Tommy Martin: Well-connected Ronaldo elbows principles of sporting integrity out the window 

Remember when Liam Brady wasn't afforded the same kind of clemency?

Republic of Ireland manager Jack Charlton consoles Liam Brady after he was sent off in the European Championship qualifier with Bulgaria, at Lansdowne Road, Dublin in 1987. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile

There’s always a historical Irish grievance. Be it Swedish referees or the misappropriation of mid-19th century grain stocks, we don’t forget.

The name of Liam Brady rang out this week as Cristiano Ronaldo walked free from the FIFA dock in the greatest bit of legal legerdemain since Johnnie Cochran cried “if the glove don’t fit, you must acquit.” Faced with the decision to ban Ronaldo – a recent attendee at the White House gala dinner hosted by US president Donald Trump in honour of the Portuguese legend’s ultimate club employer, Saudi crown prince Mohamed Bin Salman – the FIFA Disciplinary Committee opted for leniency.