Cristiano Ronaldo handed 30-day suspension over Portugal walkout
Cristiano RonaldoCristiano Ronaldo has been handed a 30-day suspension and a fine of 255 euros by the Portuguese Football Federation after walking out on his country’s squad last month.
The 41-year-old Al-Nassr forward left the national team’s training base in Copenhagen on the eve of their Nations League match against Denmark after learning he would not start the fixture.
Ronaldo accuses Jorge Jesus of broken trust
The veteran captain had previously been left as an unused substitute during a clash with Norway, prompting a public rift with head coach Jorge Jesus.
Following his departure from the squad, the former Manchester United star released a lengthy statement to clarify his actions and air his grievances regarding the national team setup.
Reporting on the statement, BBC Sport noted:
Ronaldo said in a lengthy statement he had left because Portugal coach Jorge Jesus twice “broke his word”, accusing him of an “absolute breach of trust”.
The manager swiftly denied making any such promises regarding the forward’s guaranteed playing time, though the disciplinary council chose to uphold the charge against the player in full under Article 160(1) of its regulations.
A financial penalty for the world’s richest player
Along with the month-long ban, the federation imposed a fine of 255 euros, which equals roughly £215.
The sanction is unlikely to cause financial strain for the world’s highest-paid footballer, who reportedly earns £488,000 per day playing in Saudi Arabia.
Having been provisionally suspended on 9 October, Ronaldo had actually requested to be punished appropriately by his country’s governing body rather than receiving special treatment.
He subsequently apologised to supporters for failing to acknowledge them after the Norway fixture and for abandoning his teammates, while confirming his continued availability for selection once his punishment concluded.
Door remains open for international return
Despite the high-profile fallout, the hierarchy within the Portuguese FA appears eager to reintegrate their record goalscorer into the international fold.
Portuguese FA president Pedro Proença stated that everyone within the organization hoped to see the captain return to the pitch once the disciplinary matter reached its conclusion.
The official statement from the disciplinary council did not clarify whether the 30-day ban counts time already served under the provisional suspension or which specific fixtures it impacts.
If the sanction is applied retrospectively from the initial decision date, the legendary attacker could theoretically be eligible for selection in the upcoming international break.
What’s next for Portugal and Ronaldo
Portugal return to Nations League action when they host Denmark on November 14, followed by a fixture against Wales.
Whether the former Premier League icon features will ultimately depend on whether Jesus chooses to recall him to the squad, with the manager previously keeping the door open for his return following a 2-1 victory in Copenhagen.
