Is it over for Cristiano Ronaldo? All-time great faces six-month ban
Cristiano Ronaldo risks a six-month suspension after storming out of the Portugal camp amid a row with head coach Jorge Jesus.
Ronaldo has been left frustrated after not playing a minute of Sunday’s Nations League victory over Norway, having been promised game-time by Jesus when he was told he had been benched.
The Al-Nassr attacker had not worked with his colleagues in the aftermath of the incident, with the head coach claiming that the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus attacker wasn’t refusing to train but instead was having his fatigue managed.
Reports in Portugal had generally indicated that the issues had been resolved amid a series of private meetings, however, the 41-year-old announced on Wednesday evening that he was leaving the national team camp in a stunning escalation.
What did Cristiano Ronaldo say?
Ronaldo announced: “After the National Team coach’s press conference and following a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the national team training camp”
“In due time, I will tell all Portuguese people the truth about the reasons that led to my departure from the national team, to which I have always dedicated myself.
“Now is the time to wish good luck to Portugal and to all my team-mates.”
The Portuguese FA also issued a statement, which reads: “Cristiano Ronaldo has left the national team camp. Our preparations for the next games continue with our 24 players with maximum focus on the results.”
What sparked the outburst?
Ronaldo’s comments came after Jorge Jesus admitted in a press conference that the Al-Nassr forward was likely heading for the bench in Thursday’s game against Denmark.
“In principle, it's Goncalo Ramos who will play. I don't know if Ronaldo will play or not. I don't know what will happen tomorrow [Thursday] in the game. If I need him, he'll play, if I don't need him, he won't,” the 72-year-old said.
“Status doesn't give players the right to be differentiated from others. Status is about respect for their careers. I'm the one who decides. They know that.”
Ronaldo’s international career hanging by a thread
Portugal could now take action against Ronaldo, who is their captain.
A Bola reports that the FA’s regulations open up the possibility of a six-month ban and a fine of up to €1,020. It quotes:
“Absence or abandonment results in the automatic preventive suspension of the player under the terms set out in this regulation.
“A player who, duly summoned, abandons or fails to appear without justification for training, a match or activity of the national teams or related to the sporting representation of the FPF or Portugal, is sanctioned with a suspension of one to six months and, additionally and if he is a professional player, with a fine of between 5 and 10 UC [between approximately 500 and 1,000 euros, being 102 euros per unit of account].”
Ronaldo’s international future is, therefore, hanging by a thread, with his ongoing presence in the Portugal national team now likelier to be determined by those in a boardroom rather than the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
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