Portugal provisionally suspends Ronaldo after camp departure

The Portuguese Football Federation provisionally suspended Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo after he left the national-team camp before a match against Denmark, the federation and Ronaldo said in developments reported on October 11. The federation also opened disciplinary proceedings against the 41-year-old Al Nassr forward.¹²

Disciplinary action

The federation said its Non-Professional Section decided on October 9 to initiate proceedings. In a statement, the federation said: “Disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro.” The reported action followed Ronaldo's departure from the Portugal camp after he had informed the federation that he was leaving before the Denmark match.¹

According to the report, Ronaldo left after being told he would be a substitute for a Nations League game against Norway and then did not play in that match. Federation regulations reportedly provide for a suspension ranging from one to six months in cases involving abandonment of national-team activity, although the outcome and duration of Ronaldo's case have not been stated.¹

Ronaldo's response

Ronaldo said he apologised to his Portugal colleagues for walking out of the squad's camp. “The responsibility is exclusively mine,” he said, adding that the consequences should be considered and sanctioned by the federation. He also said that, as captain, his position was an aggravating factor in the matter.¹

The forward said departing camp had not been the right way to deal with the situation, while accusing Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus of breaking his word on more than one occasion. Ronaldo said he remained prepared to represent Portugal in future. He has played 234 matches and scored 146 goals for the national side, according to the report, and took part in his sixth World Cup for Portugal.¹

Club return and fixtures

After leaving the Portugal camp, Ronaldo returned to Saudi Arabia, where he scored as Al Nassr beat Diriyah 3-0, according to the report. Portugal are due to play Denmark and Wales in the Nations League.¹