Cristiano Ronaldo has been handed a 30-day suspension and fined €255 following his departure from Portugal’s national team camp after a reported disagreement with coach Jorge Jesus.
The Portuguese Football Federation announced the sanctions on Monday, weeks after the 41-year-old forward reportedly walked out of the team’s camp following his omission from the starting line-up during Portugal’s 2-1 Nations League victory over Norway on September 27.
Following the incident, the federation imposed a preventive suspension that was not automatic and referred the matter to its disciplinary council for urgent proceedings.
After reviewing the case, the council found Ronaldo guilty of abandoning the team and sanctioned the five-time Ballon d’Or winner under Article 160 of the disciplinary code.
According to Portuguese publication A Bola, the suspension took effect on September 30, the day Ronaldo left Portugal’s camp in Denmark.
The suspension is expected to end in time for Ronaldo to be considered for Portugal’s November fixtures against Denmark and Wales.
The veteran forward, who is 20 goals short of reaching 1,000 professional career goals, is also approaching the later stages of his international career.
Ronaldo is expected to receive a fitting farewell when he eventually retires from the national team, which he has captained to three international trophies.
However, the latest incident marks another major disagreement involving the forward and Portugal’s national team management.
At the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Ronaldo was dropped to the bench by then-coach Fernando Santos after reacting angrily to being substituted during Portugal’s group-stage match against South Korea.
The latest disciplinary action adds another chapter to the tensions surrounding the Portuguese superstar as he continues his international career.
