Portuguese federation suspends Ronaldo for 30 days, fines him €255 for leaving camp

The Portuguese Football Federation has suspended Cristiano Ronaldo for 30 days. The 41-year-old has also been fined €255.

The federation's disciplinary council said on Monday that it had upheld the charge against Ronaldo in full. The sanction relates to his departure from the Portugal national team camp. Portugal's base was in Copenhagen at the time.

Ronaldo was an unused substitute in Portugal's Nations League match against Norway. He left the squad before the match against Denmark, which Portugal won 2-1.

Ronaldo had been provisionally suspended before the final sanction. BBC Sport dates the provisional suspension to 9 October. Al Jazeera and The Guardian say disciplinary proceedings were opened on 9 October, over facts reported on 7 October.

According to Al Jazeera and The Guardian, the council's non-professional section found that Ronaldo had intentionally committed an offence under Article 160(1) of the federation's disciplinary regulations. The two outlets published near-identical reports.

The federation's statement did not specify which matches or activities the suspension covers. It also did not say whether time served under the provisional suspension counts toward the 30 days. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not say whether Ronaldo will appeal.

According to BBC Sport, Ronaldo is Portugal's captain and plays as a forward for Al-Nassr. BBC Sport reports that he left after learning he would not start against Denmark, and that he explained his departure in a lengthy statement.

What is disputed

The reports differ on when Ronaldo left the camp. BBC Sport says he walked out of the Nations League squad in September, "last month". Al Jazeera and The Guardian describe it as "earlier this month", meaning October. Their account fits the timeline of proceedings opening on 9 October.

What each side says

Ronaldo says Jesus twice broke his word about his role in the team. BBC Sport quoted his written statement as saying the coach "broke his word" and calling it an "absolute breach of trust". The reports do not describe the specific commitments Ronaldo says were broken.

According to Al Jazeera and The Guardian, Ronaldo apologised for not acknowledging supporters after the Norway match and for leaving his teammates. He said he remained available for selection after serving any punishment.

Jesus denied making any agreement with Ronaldo, according to the same outlets. He left the door open for Ronaldo's return after the win over Denmark.

Federation president Pedro Proença said everyone within the federation wanted Ronaldo to return to the national team once the matter was resolved, Al Jazeera and The Guardian reported.

Analysis

The sanction is small in financial terms, but its practical effect is unclear. The reports do not say which matches the suspension covers, or whether the provisional period counts. If it does, the suspension may already be largely served. If not, it could affect upcoming fixtures. Public statements from Ronaldo, Jesus and federation president Pedro Proença all point to a possible return. However, the two men's accounts of any agreement on Ronaldo's role remain in conflict. That disagreement may shape whether, and how, a return happens. An appeal or further clarification from the federation could change the picture.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.