Ronaldo available for next Nations League despite suspension, fine
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LISBON, Portugal (AP):
Walking out on the Portugal camp has earned Cristiano Ronaldo a 30-day suspension and a 255-euro (US$285) fine from the national federation.
The Portuguese Football Federation had provisionally suspended Ronaldo and yesterday described the punishment as “adequate and sufficient”.
The federation said Ronaldo fully admitted the facts underlying the charges through a formal statement submitted on Friday. It added that his confession and previously clean disciplinary record helped reduce the punishment.
The fine was the maximum allowed by the federation after mitigating circumstances were taken into account.
Ronaldo can appeal the suspension, but he had already apologised and said he expected to be punished. He had not immediately responded publicly to news of the sanction.
During Portugal’s recent Nations League campaign, Ronaldo played in the opening victory over Wales before being named among the substitutes and remaining unused in a win over Norway on September 27. Ronaldo accused coach Jorge Jesus of breaking an agreement to play him and subsequently walked out of the camp.
Without him, Portugal went on to defeat Denmark and Norway again to secure qualification for the quarter-finals.
The suspension took effect on October 1, the day of the Denmark match, meaning Ronaldo has already served 19 days of the ban and is expected to be available for Portugal’s next Nations League fixture against Denmark on November 14.