Cristiano Ronaldo has received a provisional suspension from the Portuguese Football Federation after leaving the national team camp last month.
Portugal’s 41-year-old skipper departed the Nations League group in September. He had remained on the bench against Norway before learning he would not be in the starting line-up for the following match against Denmark.
Quick facts
- The FPF imposed the provisional suspension on 9 October and is treating the matter as urgent.
- Players who fail to report for international duty or leave camp can be banned for between one and six months, as well as fined.
- Ronaldo has 146 goals from 234 Portugal matches, both men’s international records.
- He scored his 980th career goal last week in Al-Nassr’s 3-0 victory over Diriyah Club.
In a long statement released after his departure, the Al-Nassr forward said coach Jorge Jesus had twice failed to keep promises made to him. Ronaldo described the situation as an “absolute breach of trust”.
The federation confirmed that the temporary disciplinary measure was issued on 9 October. It added that the case had been classified as urgent.
FPF regulations allow for a suspension of one to six months and a financial penalty when a player does not attend national-team commitments or leaves them early.
FPF president Pedro Proenca urged restraint while discussions continue. “This is a moment for calm and composure. We are all sitting around the table together,” he said.
“There is a clear wish to have our captain with us again. There will be a standard disciplinary procedure.”
Ronaldo accepted responsibility for leaving the camp and apologised to both his Portugal team-mates and supporters. He also said that he should face punishment for what happened.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has made clear that he does not intend to end his international career, with the pursuit of 1,000 senior career goals still motivating him.
His 146 goals in 234 appearances for Portugal are men’s records in both categories. He has played a central role in the country’s Euro 2016 triumph and its two Nations League titles.
Ronaldo had considered stepping away from the national side after the World Cup in the summer, but decided to carry on.
He returned for Al-Nassr last week and reached 980 career goals as his club beat Diriyah Club 3-0.
