Cristiano Ronaldo has received a 30-day suspension and a €255 fine from the Portuguese football federation after leaving the Portugal squad during the most recent international break. The forward is 41.
In late September, Ronaldo clashed with national team coach Jorge Jesus after spending the 2-1 international win over Norway on the bench. Ronaldo said Jesus had told him beforehand he would play for about half an hour.
Ronaldo was told to warm up during the match but never got on. He felt Jesus had not taken him seriously and later said the coach had broken a second agreement. According to Ronaldo, Jesus had promised to explain the situation publicly at a press conference.
Before Portugal faced Denmark, tensions rose and Ronaldo left the training camp. The Portuguese star later issued a lengthy public statement apologising to his team-mates and the supporters. He acknowledged that leaving the national team had to have consequences.
Ronaldo went further, calling for an appropriate punishment in that statement. The captain said his status as a role model meant his actions should be judged strictly. Despite criticising Jesus’s conduct, he made clear he was ready to accept the consequences of his departure.
A week and a half ago, the Portuguese federation announced formal disciplinary proceedings against the captain. Ronaldo would remain suspended until it decided his final punishment.
The federation has now settled on a 30-day suspension and a €255 fine. Given Ronaldo’s salary, the fine is particularly low.