Cristiano Ronaldo has been handed a 30-day suspension and a €255 fine by the Portuguese Football Federation after leaving the national team’s training camp during the September international break.
The disciplinary decision brings an end to the proceedings against the 41-year-old forward, who walked out of Portugal’s camp on 30 September following a dispute with head coach Jorge Jesus.
The suspension has been backdated to the day Ronaldo left the camp, meaning he will be available for Portugal’s next international fixture on 14 November, subject to selection.
The disagreement began after Ronaldo remained an unused substitute in Portugal’s 2-1 win over Norway. The forward said Jesus had told him he would play for around 30 minutes, but although he was asked to warm up, he was not introduced.
Ronaldo was also unhappy with the coach’s subsequent public explanation of the decision. He felt Jesus had failed to honour a further promise to clarify the situation at a press conference, deepening the rift between the pair.
Tensions escalated before Portugal’s match against Denmark, prompting Ronaldo to leave the training camp.
The Portugal captain later issued a public apology to his team-mates and supporters. He accepted that his decision to leave the squad should have consequences and argued that his position as a role model made it especially important for him to be held accountable.
Ronaldo also made clear that he was prepared to accept the punishment, despite his criticism of how Jesus had handled the situation.
The federation opened formal disciplinary proceedings earlier in October and kept Ronaldo provisionally suspended while the case was considered. It has now confirmed the final sanction: a 30-day ban and a €255 fine.
The financial penalty is small compared with Ronaldo’s reported earnings, although the suspension carries greater significance as a disciplinary measure against Portugal’s captain.
With the ban backdated to 30 September, Ronaldo’s suspension will have expired before Portugal return to action on 14 November. He can therefore be considered for the next international match, provided he is selected.
