Cristiano Ronaldo has been handed a 30-day suspension and fined €255 by the Portuguese Football Federation after leaving the national team camp following a dispute over his playing time.
The 41-year-old forward walked out on September 30 after being left on the bench against Norway and learning he would not start against Denmark. Ronaldo accused Portugal coach Jorge Jesus of going back on his word about giving him more minutes on the pitch.
Ronaldo later apologised for his actions and accepted that he deserved punishment. The federation took his remorse into account when imposing the minimum suspension under its regulations, which allow bans of between one and six months for leaving the national team camp.
The suspension began on October 1, meaning Ronaldo had already served 19 days by the time the punishment was announced. He is expected to complete the ban by the end of October, leaving him eligible for Portugal’s Nations League matches against Denmark and Wales in November.
Portugal have won all four matches played during Ronaldo’s absence and secured qualification for the quarter-finals with two games to spare. Despite the controversy, Ronaldo has insisted he remains committed to representing his country.
