Ronaldo Suspended After Portugal Walkout

The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has provisionally suspended Cristiano Ronaldo and opened disciplinary proceedings after the forward left the national team camp, Portuguese media reported on October 10. The move followed a dispute that began when Ronaldo was an unused substitute in Portugal's 2-1 Nations League win away to Norway on September 27.

Ronaldo then issued a statement of close to 2,000 words. In it he said he had pulled out of the squad because of a "breach of trust" with head coach Jorge Jesus, who he claimed had gone back on an agreement to bring him on as a substitute in that match. The 41-year-old has scored a record 146 goals in 234 appearances for his country, so the public split with the coach drew wide attention across the sport.

Earlier this week Ronaldo changed his tone somewhat. He apologised to supporters for the way the situation had played out, while still criticising Jesus, and said he would accept whatever punishment the federation decided on. His apology did not reverse the disciplinary process, which had already been set in motion.

That process has since reached a conclusion, according to France 24. The outlet reported on October 20 that the FPF had suspended Ronaldo for 30 days and fined him 255 euros. The federation has not been quoted at length on the reasoning behind the sanction in the coverage available so far, so the full detail of its decision may still emerge.

For Portugal, the episode raises questions about discipline and leadership in the squad ahead of the next round of qualifying. For Ronaldo, a spell away from the national side now looks likely to run through the period when fans and selectors would normally be weighing his place in the team.