Portuguese FA Provisionally Suspends Ronaldo Following Walkout From National Team Camp

The Disciplinary Board of the Portuguese Football Federation has launched disciplinary proceedings against Cristiano Ronaldo following his departure from the national team’s training camp in Copenhagen, Denmark.

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The dispute erupted ahead of the fixture against Denmark. The team captain confronted coach Jorge Jesus after being left on the bench against Norway, despite assurances Ronaldo was set to feature for 30 minutes.

Citing a breach of trust regarding Jesus’s commitment, Ronaldo exited the camp on 30 September, announcing his decision via Instagram. He promised to reveal the “truth to all Portuguese people” regarding the circumstances of his sudden departure “in due course.”

While the captain’s public statement ignited a wider controversy within the squad, teammates largely avoided media engagement and managed to secure the national team’s strongest form in recent years.

Under Jesus, Portugal secured victory in all four matches, advanced to the next phase of the Nations League, and re-entered the fifth spot of the FIFA world rankings, displacing Brazil to sixth.

In a social media post accompanying his departure, Ronaldo expressed apologies to his teammates, the squad, and the public. He confirmed his willingness to return, accepted “responsibility” for his actions, and stated readiness to face disciplinary repercussions.

Consequently, the Disciplinary Board (CD) has provisionally suspended the star while the case, categorized as “urgent,” is adjudicated.

“Disciplinary proceedings have been opened against Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro by decision of the Non-Professional Section on 9 October 2026, with the aim of determining whether the facts reported on 7 October 2026 have any disciplinary implications. Without prejudice to the automatic preventive suspension to which he was subject until the proceedings were opened, a non-automatic preventive suspension has been imposed on the player, and the case has been given urgent status,” reads the statement released by the CD.

According to Portuguese outlet MaisFutebol, the inquiry followed two complaints lodged against Ronaldo: one originating from the Federation’s board and another from external third parties.

Ronaldo has been suspended for 20 days under Paragraph 2 of Article 40-A of the Federation’s Disciplinary Regulations.

The suspension is set to expire on 30 October, potentially allowing the captain to rejoin the squad for the national team’s November schedule, per MaisFutebol.

However, Ronaldo risks a steeper penalty. The federation’s regulations dictate that any player who, without valid reason, “leaves or fails to attend” a training session, match, or national team activity “shall be sanctioned with a suspension of between one and six months,” in addition to a fine.

While Ronaldo notified the federation of his departure, it remains uncertain whether the breach will be considered justified under current regulations.

“I have already apologised, but I know that actions must have consequences. Anyone in the world of football, just like me, knows that, regardless of one’s status, the rules are the same for everyone,” Ronaldo wrote in the letter.

The federation confirmed on Saturday that the matter is before the disciplinary inquiry committee, noting that collected information will remain confidential until the investigation concludes.

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