The once elegant relationship between Cristiano Ronaldo and his country Portugal has suffered more anti-climax as he has been provisionally suspended by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF).
While he is scoring more goals in his Saudi club, the federation’s disciplinary body is investigating the circumstances surrounding his departure from the national team’s training camp in September.
According to a report by Portuguese broadcaster RTP, the federation’s Disciplinary Council confirmed the decision in a statement.
All of this is happening days after Ronaldo’s phenomenal ‘rival’ Lionel Messi gloriously exited Argentina’s national team.
The statement said the council had decided on October 9 to open disciplinary proceedings against Ronaldo over the possible disciplinary implications of facts reported to it on October 7.
“foi determinada a suspensão preventiva não automática do jogador” (a non-automatic provisional suspension of the player was imposed), the federation’s statement said, as quoted by RT.
The case was referred to the FPF’s Disciplinary Investigation Commission on October 10 and classified as urgent. The federation also said details of the proceedings would remain confidential until the investigation was completed.
Portuguese sports broadcaster SPORT TV also reported the suspension on October 10, reproducing the disciplinary statement.
Ronaldo apologises over departure
Ronaldo left Portugal’s training camp in Copenhagen on September 30, amid a disagreement with head coach Jorge Jesus over his role in the team.
In a report published on October 6, beIN SPORTS said the Portugal captain had apologised for leaving the camp and indicated that he would accept any punishment imposed on him.
“I should not have done it. The responsibility is exclusively mine,” Ronaldo said in a statement quoted by beIN SPORTS, apologising to his national team teammates.
The forward also ruled out retiring from international football, according to beIN SPORTS, and expressed his willingness to return to the national team after serving any suspension imposed on him.
RTP reported that Ronaldo had also expressed his willingness to return to Portugal’s squad.
The federation’s latest decision is provisional. The disciplinary proceedings are ongoing, and the statement does not specify the final punishment Ronaldo could face.
