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Cristiano Ronaldo has been provisionally suspended by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) after disciplinary proceedings were opened over his departure from the national team camp, the federation said on Saturday.
The FPF said its Non-Professional Section decided on Oct. 9 to investigate the circumstances surrounding the 41-year-old forward’s departure. It imposed a non-automatic preventive suspension and gave the case urgent status.
The federation said details would remain confidential until the investigation is complete. No final punishment has been announced.
Ronaldo left Portugal’s camp in Copenhagen before the team’s Nations League match against Denmark following a disagreement with head coach Jorge Jesus over his playing time.
Ronaldo said Jesus had initially agreed that he would miss Portugal’s matches against Norway and Denmark as part of a plan to manage his fitness. 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. Gonçalo Ramos, who replaced Ronaldo, scored three goals.
Ronaldo later apologized to his teammates and supporters for leaving the camp and said he was ready to accept any punishment imposed by the federation. “I recognize that I should not have left the national team camp,” he said, while also criticizing Jesus over the events that led to his departure.
The case has been referred to the FPF’s Disciplinary Investigation Commission, which has yet to announce a final decision.
