Portugal suspend Cristiano Ronaldo for 30 days, impose $286 fine over camp departure

By Halis Sunnetci

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) handed Cristiano Ronaldo a 30-day suspension and a €255 ($286) fine on Monday for leaving the national team training camp without permission following a dispute with head coach Jorge Jesus.

The federation’s disciplinary council upheld the charge against the 41-year-old captain, who left Portugal’s camp in Copenhagen on Sept. 30, a day before the UEFA Nations League match against Denmark.

In its ruling, the council found that Ronaldo had deliberately committed a disciplinary offense under Article 160(1) of the federation’s disciplinary regulations.

“Based on this, it is decided to impose a 30-day suspension, in addition to a financial fine of 2.5 accounting units, equivalent to 255 euros (two hundred and fifty-five euros),” the federation said.

Ronaldo had been subject to an automatic provisional suspension since leaving the camp on Sept. 30. The federation formally opened disciplinary proceedings on Oct. 9 and imposed a separate provisional suspension, with the case referred for investigation the following day.

The disciplinary announcement did not clarify whether time already served under the provisional suspensions would count toward the 30-day sanction.

Ronaldo’s departure followed disagreements with Jesus over his role in the national team after he remained an unused substitute in Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Norway on Sept. 27.

In a lengthy statement following his departure, Ronaldo accused Jesus of breaking promises concerning his playing time, while also apologizing for leaving the national team camp without permission.

The veteran forward said the Portuguese Football Federation should determine the appropriate punishment for his actions and stressed that he had never considered retiring from international football.

Halis Sünnetci