Ronaldo Banned for 30 Days and Fined for Walking Out on Portugal Camp

Cristiano Ronaldo has been punished for walking out on the Portugal national team camp. The Portuguese Football Federation has handed the star forward a 30-day suspension along with a fine of 255 euros (about $285). The federation described the punishment on Monday as “adequate and sufficient”, according to reports from Lisbon.

Ronaldo had earlier been provisionally suspended by the federation. One factor worked in his favour when the punishment was decided: through a formal statement submitted on Friday, he fully admitted the facts underlying the charges. The federation said his confession and his clean disciplinary record helped to reduce the punishment.

The fine was the maximum allowable by the federation, but only after mitigating circumstances were taken into account. In other words, the federation hinted that without the confession and his past record, the punishment could have been harsher.

Ronaldo can appeal the suspension. However, he had already apologised and said he expected to be punished. He did not immediately react publicly to the news of the suspension.

The episode stems from the recent Nations League fixtures. Ronaldo played in the opening win over Wales but was an unused substitute in the win in Norway on 27 September. Ronaldo accused coach Jorge Jesus of breaking an agreement to play him — and walked out of the camp in frustration.

Without him, Portugal went on to beat Denmark and Norway again to qualify for the Nations League quarter-finals. So the team suffered little on the pitch, but the federation took a firm line on the question of team discipline.

The suspension began on 1 October, the day of the Denmark game, meaning Ronaldo has already served 19 days of it. He is therefore expected to be available for Portugal’s next Nations League match against Denmark on 14 November.

All told, Ronaldo has escaped with a relatively light punishment in exchange for his apology and confession. It remains to be seen whether he takes the appeal route — and whether, back with the national team, he answers this controversy with his performances on the pitch.