Cristiano Ronaldo has been handed a 30-day suspension for leaving the Portuguese national team camp during the UEFA Nations League, the country’s football federation (FPF) announced on Monday.
The 41-year-old left the Portugal camp on September 30, before accusing coach Jorge Jesus of breaking his word about giving him game time.
Ronaldo apologised to supporters earlier in October, adding he would accept any punishment that was imposed.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star, who will also have to pay a fine of 255 euros ($286), has received the minimum penalty provided for in the federation’s regulations, which stipulate suspensions of between one and six months for leaving the national team.
Ronaldo left Portugal’s squad after first being made to warm up as a substitute against Norway on September 27 and not brought on, and then finding out he would not start against Denmark in the match on October 1.
Ronaldo’s suspension takes effect from the day of the Denmark match, meaning he has already served 19 days of his ban and will complete it by the end of October.
The dispute followed Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Norway on September 27, in which Ronaldo remained an unused substitute after warming up during the match.
According to the Ravenewsonline Ronaldo had said Jesus broke his word regarding his playing time.
The forward subsequently apologised to supporters and acknowledged his departure from the camp, while expressing his willingness to accept any punishment imposed by the federation.
The disciplinary decision does not specify which matches or activities would be affected by the 30-day suspension or whether the period covered by his provisional suspension would count towards the final sanction.
Portugal are scheduled to face Denmark on November 14, with Ronaldo’s availability for selection dependent on the application of the suspension and the national team’s decisions.
Meanwhile, FPF president Pedro Proença has publicly backed the captain, describing him as one of the most important figures in Portuguese football.
“We are in the home of the greatest asset Portuguese football has ever produced: Cristiano Ronaldo, our captain,” Proença said, as quoted by ESPN.
“Our captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, is one of our key pieces,” he added.
