Cristiano Ronaldo provisionally suspended by Portugal’s football federation

Cristiano Ronaldo has been provisionally suspended by Portugal’s football federation after walking out on the national team. The Portuguese Football Federation announced disciplinary proceedings on October 9 to assess the potential disciplinary significance of events reported on October 7. It also imposed a non-automatic preventive suspension and classified the proceedings as urgent.

The case follows Ronaldo’s departure from the Portugal squad. He had been an unused substitute in a 2-1 away win against Norway in the Nations League on September 27. Ronaldo later apologised for his actions and asked the Portugal FA to punish him without showing leniency.

The case was sent on October 10 to the Portuguese Football Federation’s disciplinary instruction committee. The proceedings are to remain confidential until the investigation concludes. The suspension is provisional: opening disciplinary proceedings does not, in itself, amount to a final decision on the reported events.

Ronaldo marked his return to Al Nassr with a goal on Friday, playing for the Saudi club for the first time since his walkout. He said he had withdrawn from the squad after a “breach of trust” with head coach Jorge Jesus. Ronaldo also said Jesus had agreed to clarify the situation and state that the captain had never asked for playing time.

Ronaldo said Jesus had told him he would play 30 minutes against Norway, before going back on that promise. “I started warming up from half-time, watched the minutes tick by and wasn’t brought on,” he said. He also argued that the coach’s public comments did not reflect their private conversation. Previously, Jesus had denied that there was a rift between them. After a win against Norway, he left the door open to Ronaldo’s return: “If he wants to, he’ll return to the national team.”

Ronaldo also said he would remain available for Portugal after serving any suspension that might be imposed on him, provided he was physically fit and playing for his club. He further revealed that Proenca had asked for his view on Jesus becoming Portugal’s next manager. Ronaldo said he had replied that, in his opinion, it was the right choice.