Portugal’s Football Federation has launched an urgent disciplinary investigation into Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit from the national-team camp before the match against Denmark, with the captain potentially facing a ban of up to six months and a fine reaching €1,000 ($1,200).
Disciplinary process opened
- The federation’s disciplinary council placed an extra provisional suspension on the 41-year-old, supplementing the automatic suspension that had already applied.
- The matter has been passed to the disciplinary investigation committee, which must decide whether Ronaldo breached regulations by leaving the squad camp without valid grounds.
- This is the first official disciplinary procedure linked to the incident. Although the case has been designated urgent, its contents will remain private until the inquiry is completed.
Departure before Denmark fixture
- The investigation follows Ronaldo’s departure during the most recent international window, with the forward leaving the Portugal camp 24 hours before the Denmark game.
- He left as a protest over remarks made by coach Jorge Jesus, triggering a major dispute involving Portugal’s national-team skipper.
- Federation rules state that a player who departs a national-team camp without justification after receiving an official call-up can be suspended for between one month and six months.
- Players under professional contracts can also be subjected to a financial sanction.
Ronaldo apologises
Ronaldo later returned and issued a detailed statement setting out his account of what happened. He also offered an apology to his Portugal teammates and to the country’s supporters.
The forward asked for a harsh sanction, saying that his responsibilities as captain meant he should not be treated in the same way as a regular squad member.
