Cristiano Ronaldo has received a 30-day suspension for leaving the Portuguese national team camp, the country’s football federation announced on Monday.
The disciplinary committee stated that the 41-year-old would also pay a fine of 255 euros, which equals 286 US dollars. This is the minimum penalty under federation regulations, which prescribe bans ranging from one to six months for abandoning the squad.
Ronaldo left the camp in Copenhagen on September 30 during the UEFA Nations League. He accused coach Jorge Jesus of breaking his word regarding playing time.
The dispute began after Ronaldo warmed up as a substitute against Norway on September 27 without getting on the pitch. He then learned he would not start the fixture against Denmark on October 1.
Ronaldo posted a statement on social media accusing Jesus of failing to keep promises about his involvement. He wrote that Jesus had gone back on his word about bringing him on against Norway, and that the coach omitted pre-agreed points during a press conference before the Denmark game.
One of those points involved Ronaldo comparing his treatment to asking legends like Pele or Maradona to warm up without playing. He insisted he was not retiring from international duty.
"I will be available, as I have always been until today, to compete and win for our national team," Ronaldo posted.
The disciplinary committee weighed the remorse Ronaldo showed in an apology issued earlier in October. He admitted his mistake then and stated he would accept any punishment.
The suspension began on the day of the Denmark match. The player has already served 19 days of the ban and will complete the penalty before the end of October.
Portugal won all four Nations League fixtures played in Ronaldo’s absence, securing qualification for the quarter-finals with two matches remaining. The team will host Denmark on November 14 and play away against Wales on November 17, by which time the suspension will have ended.
Jesus stated he would select Ronaldo for international duty if the forward continued playing for his Saudi club Al-Nassr and wished to be called up. After the punishment was announced, Ronaldo posted an Instagram photograph showing himself preparing to train with his club, with the caption, "Putting in the work."
