Ronaldo provisionally suspended over Portugal camp exit

Cristiano Ronaldo has been provisionally suspended by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) after disciplinary proceedings were launched over his departure from the national team camp during the international break.

The federation said its Non-Professional Section decided on October 9 to investigate the circumstances surrounding the 41-year-old forward’s departure.

The case has been referred to the FPF’s Disciplinary Investigation Commission and given urgent status.

The FPF said a non-automatic preventive suspension had been imposed on Ronaldo, in addition to the automatic preventive suspension that applied until the disciplinary proceedings were initiated.

No final punishment has been announced, and details of the investigation will remain confidential until it is concluded.

Ronaldo left Portugal’s camp in Copenhagen ahead of the team’s Nations League match against Denmark following a dispute with head coach Jorge Jesus over his playing time.

According to Ronaldo, Jesus had initially agreed that he would sit out Portugal’s matches against Norway and Denmark as part of a plan to manage his fitness.

However, the forward said the coach later told him he would play for 30 minutes against Norway.

“I warmed up from half-time onwards, watched the minutes tick by and wasn’t called on,” Ronaldo said in a statement. “The manager had broken his word to me.”

Portugal won all three matches during the international break, while Goncalo Ramos, who replaced Ronaldo, scored three goals.

Ronaldo later apologised to his teammates and supporters for leaving the camp, acknowledging that he should not have done so and saying he was prepared to accept any punishment imposed by the federation. He also criticised Jesus over the circumstances that led to his departure.

The FPF has yet to announce a final decision in the disciplinary case.