Back
Cristiano Ronaldo has been suspended for 30 days and issued a €255 fine by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) after he walked out on the national team amid a dispute with coach Jorge Jesus.
Ronaldo had already been serving a provisional suspension starting when he walked away from the Portugal national team on Wednesday, Sept. 30, one day before a UEFA Nations League match at Denmark.
The 30-day ban will allow Ronaldo to be eligible for Portugal's next two games, a Nov. 14 Nations League match with Denmark and a Nov. 17 match against Wales in the Nations League.
The FPF said that the 41-year-old had been found guilty of the charges after an investigation, but opted to impose a relatively light sentence.
“Accordingly, and on the grounds set out above, the Disciplinary Council, Non-Professional Section, of the Portuguese Football Federation decides, in these proceedings, to uphold the charge in full and, consequently, to find the defendant, Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, guilty of committing, on one occasion and intentionally, the disciplinary offense provided for and punishable under Article 160(1) of the FPF Disciplinary Regulations. Consequently, the council imposes a suspension of 30 days and, additionally, a fine set at 2.5 units of account, equivalent to €255," read the FPF disciplinary ruling, according to multiple Portuguese outlets.
Ronaldo left Copenhagen in the middle of the last international window after falling out with Jesus.
At issue was Ronaldo's usage in Portugal's previous game against Norway. According to a lengthy statement the star forward released earlier this month, an assistant coach told Ronaldo he would play around 30 minutes in the match. But after warming up, Ronaldo did not play as Portugal ultimately won 2-1.
An angry Ronaldo did not acknowledge the traveling fans in Oslo after the final whistle, instead walking down the tunnel.
Ronaldo apologized to fans for his actions in Oslo and also apologized to his teammates for leaving midway through the recent international window.
But he insisted he did so because Jesus broke his word twice – first by not playing him in Oslo and then by refusing to stick to a supposedly pre-approved script at a press conference prior to the game against Denmark.
The FPF announced on Oct. 10 that it had referred Ronaldo's case to its Disciplinary Investigation Committee, which opened proceedings against the 41-year-old the day before.
Ronaldo himself said that his actions deserved to be punished and added that his status as Portugal captain meant he should be judged more harshly.
"The consequences of my actions must be evaluated and punished by the Portuguese Football Federation," he said in his statement.
"I believe the punishment should not be mitigated. I am not just any player; I am the team captain, and that constitutes an aggravating factor. I have already apologized, but I know that actions must have consequences."
The 41-year-old has made 234 appearances for Portugal, and is the all-time leading scorer in men's international soccer history with 146 goals.