The renowned footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has received a serious blow: the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has imposed a 30-day suspension on him for leaving the national team camp. The federation's disciplinary committee fully upheld the charges against the 41-year-old forward and also fined him 255 euros.
The situation stems from disagreements regarding Ronaldo's role in the Portugal national team. Reports indicate that tension arose between Ronaldo and coach Jorge Jesus. Following this, Ronaldo left the base in Copenhagen before the match against Denmark, which led to the initiation of disciplinary measures.
Ronaldo's dissatisfaction was caused by disputes over his place in the squad. The attacking star claimed that coach Jorge Jesus had twice broken promises made to him regarding his role in the team. During the game against Norway, Ronaldo was not given the opportunity to play, remaining on the bench for the entire match.
This led to further disagreements between them. Although Jesus refused any reconciliation with Ronaldo, the Portuguese team secured a victory. Subsequently, the coach did not rule out the possibility of Ronaldo's return.
The Disciplinary Committee of the Portuguese Football Federation found Ronaldo guilty of intentional violation under Article 160(1) of its rules. The federation confirmed the accusations, issued the suspension ruling, and the fine.
After the dispute escalated, Ronaldo apologized for his behavior. He admitted that his mistake was failing to greet the fans after the match against Norway and leaving the camp, abandoning his teammates. He also stated that the rules in football are the same for everyone, and he accepts the punishment for his actions.
Ronaldo's apology was taken into account when determining the penalty. The federation included his regret and subsequent conduct as mitigating factors. Nevertheless, more responsibility was expected from him given that he is the team captain.
Despite the 30-day ban, Ronaldo retains the possibility of returning to the next international series for Portugal. According to AFP, his punishment took effect on October 1st. Based on this, he may complete his suspension by the end of October.
Portugal is scheduled to play Denmark on November 14th, followed by Wales on November 17th. Thus, he could be available for these games. However, the final decision regarding his return to the national team will depend on the team's management and the prevailing circumstances.
The President of the Portuguese Football Federation, Pedro Proença, also expressed a desire to see Ronaldo in the team. Ronaldo is among Portugal's biggest players and holds numerous records in international football. Despite Ronaldo's absence, Portugal won all four Nations League matches and advanced to the quarter-finals. Now it remains to see how the relationship between Ronaldo and coach Jorge Jesus will develop after this dispute, and whether the experienced forward will feature in the national squad in November.