Cristiano Ronaldo provisionally suspended by Portuguese FA after national team 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, Portuguese media reported on Saturday.

The 41-year-old forward left Portugal’s base in Copenhagen before the team’s Nations League match against Denmark last week. His departure followed a disagreement with head coach Jorge Jesus over Ronaldo’s role in the side.

Ronaldo had been an unused substitute in Portugal’s match against Norway. He subsequently accused Jesus of breaking his word twice in relation to his position within the team.

Portugal went on to beat Norway 2-1, after which Jesus denied reaching any agreement with Ronaldo. However, the manager also indicated that the player could still return to the squad.

According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, the FPF confirmed that formal disciplinary proceedings had been opened against Ronaldo. The federation said the case would be treated as a matter of urgency.

“Without prejudice to the automatic preventive suspension to which he was subject until the date of initiation, a non-automatic preventive suspension of the player was determined, and the proceedings were given urgent status,” the FPF was quoted as saying.

The decision means Ronaldo is subject to an additional preventive suspension while the disciplinary process continues. The federation did not state how long the suspension would last or what specific punishment might follow.

FPF president Pedro Proenca said the organisation wanted Ronaldo to return to international football once the dispute had been dealt with.

“The Portuguese Football Federation and its president, in this spirit of tranquility, speaking with all parties, who have already publicly demonstrated their desire to have the captain back with us, there is an expressed wish from everyone,” he was quoted as saying by A Bola.

“This includes the federation, the FPF president, the national team coach, the captain and the players.”

Proenca stressed that the next stage of the case would be determined independently by the federation’s disciplinary committee.

“Regarding Ronaldo’s disciplinary process, that will depend solely on the disciplinary committee, which is an autonomous body, and it will do its job,” he added.

Ronaldo apologised on Tuesday for not acknowledging supporters after the match against Norway. He also apologised for leaving his team-mates, while saying he would remain available for selection once he had served any punishment resulting from the incident.