Portuguese FA Hands Ronaldo 30-Day Suspension and €255 Fine for Leaving National Team Camp

Since Ronaldo left Portugal's camp in Copenhagen on Sept. 30 and the federation opened disciplinary proceedings on Oct. 9, the case has now reached a verdict. The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) announced Monday, Oct. 19, a 30-day suspension and a fine of 2.5 accounting units, equivalent to €255 (about £215).

The federation's disciplinary council upheld the charge in full. Its non-professional section found the 41-year-old captain intentionally committed an offence under Article 160(1) of the disciplinary regulations. The case was opened on Oct. 9 over facts reported two days earlier.

A minimum sentence

AFP reports that the federation's rules call for suspensions of one to six months for leaving the national team. Thirty days is the floor.

The council said it weighed "the remorse shown" in Ronaldo's Oct. 6 statement, along with his "contributions to soccer and recognition for athletic merit." Ronaldo also submitted his CV, including his awards and achievements, as part of his defence. He had told the committee he accepted accountability, apologised to teammates and fans, and said he deserved to be punished.

For comparison, Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in December 2022 on a reported annual salary of £177m and extended his contract last year. The fine is £215.

Does he miss anything?

Probably not. The BBC and AFP both report the suspension runs from Oct. 1, the day of the Denmark match, which would put Ronaldo 19 days into the ban today and finishing by the end of October.

The federation's own statement, as quoted, does not say which matches or activities the suspension covers. It also does not say whether time already served under the earlier provisional suspension counts toward the 30 days.

Portugal's next Nations League dates are a home match against Denmark on Nov. 14 and a trip to Wales on Nov. 17. If the Oct. 1 start date holds, the ban is over before either one.

How it started

Ronaldo was an unused substitute against Norway on Sept. 27. He then learned he would not start against Denmark on Oct. 1 and left camp.

His explanation, laid out in a lengthy statement, is that coach Jorge Jesus twice "broke his word." Ronaldo says the two had agreed he would sit out the Norway and Denmark games to manage his fitness. On the morning of the Norway match, he says, Jesus told him he would play 30 minutes. He warmed up and was never brought on.

Ronaldo says a later meeting, attended by Al-Nassr sporting director Simao Coutinho, produced a deal for Jesus to clarify matters at his next press conference. He says an eight-point document was drawn up stating he had never demanded playing time, had respected Jesus' decisions, and that having him warm up without entering was a mistake. Ronaldo says that when Jesus spoke to the press, the version he gave was different. He called it an "absolute breach of trust."

Jesus denies making any agreement with Ronaldo. He has also left the door open for a return.

Portugal without him

Portugal won 2-1 against Denmark and, according to AFP, have won all four of their Nations League matches without Ronaldo. They have already qualified for the quarter-finals with two games to spare.

Ronaldo holds the men's world records with 146 goals in 234 Portugal appearances. He helped win Euro 2016 and two Nations League titles. His World Cup performances this summer drew heavy criticism from fans, according to Yahoo Sports.

FPF president Pedro Proenca told the Portuguese outlet Record there is a "strong desire" to have Ronaldo back with the national team once the matter is resolved. Ronaldo has said he remains available for selection after serving any punishment.

What comes next

Whether Jesus picks Ronaldo for the Nov. 14 match against Denmark is the open question. Jesus has not ruled it out, and the federation's president wants the captain back. Ronaldo and the coach still disagree on whether any agreement existed, and the federation has not said the ruling settles that.