Cristiano Ronaldo has been suspended by the Portuguese Football Federation after leaving Portugal’s training camp in anger following a dispute with manager Jorge Jesus.
The suspension was triggered automatically under the federation’s regulations, according to the British newspaper Mirror. Ronaldo’s final punishment will be decided by the disciplinary council and could last between one and six months.
The dispute began during Portugal’s opening Nations League match against Norway, which Portugal won 4-2. Jesus asked Ronaldo to warm up but did not bring him on, a decision the forward viewed as an insult. He subsequently left the national team camp.
Ronaldo later issued a lengthy public apology and said he believed the Portuguese Football Federation should punish him. However, the consequences of the incident have now begun to take effect.
If the ban exceeds one month, Ronaldo will miss Portugal’s next two Nations League matches next month against Denmark and Wales.
The disciplinary council will consider all aspects of the case, including Ronaldo’s apology, when deciding the length of the suspension. ESPN has suggested that a short-term ban is the most likely outcome.
Ronaldo said on Tuesday: “I also owe an apology to my team-mates in the national team for leaving the camp. Despite the clear breach of trust in the coach’s word, and as those who witnessed those conversations can confirm, I should not have done it.”
He added: “The responsibility is mine alone. I apologise once again to the Portuguese people, but breaking my promise to him had a decisive impact on me. I felt that from that moment onwards, my staying would only harm the group, and I did what I have always said I would do if I no longer felt useful: I packed my bags and left.”
Ronaldo acknowledged that his position within the team increased the seriousness of the incident.
“The consequences of this action must be assessed and I must be punished by the Portuguese Football Federation,” he said. “I understand that there should be no mitigating circumstances for the punishment. I am not just any player; I am the captain of the team, and that is an aggravating circumstance.”
He continued: “I have already apologised, but I know that actions must have consequences. Anyone who works in football, as I do, knows that regardless of each person’s status, the rules apply to everyone.”
Jesus responded to Ronaldo’s statement by saying: “I read the statement and now I am doing my job as usual. I am going to the federation to work and think about the team.”
Ronaldo has made 234 appearances for Portugal since making his international debut and holds the national team’s scoring record with 146 goals.
