Ronaldo temporarily suspended from Portugal squad after leaving camp, Mirror reports
In short
Cristiano Ronaldo has been temporarily suspended from playing for Portugal after leaving the national team's camp, TASS, Kommersant and RBC reported, citing The Mirror. Kommersant said the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) imposed the suspension and that its disciplinary council will soon set its length, which could be from one to six months. RBC and Kommersant said Ronaldo left without permission over disagreements with head coach Jorge Jesus.
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Cristiano Ronaldo has been temporarily suspended from playing for the Portugal national team, TASS, Kommersant and RBC reported, citing The Mirror. TASS said he left the national team in the middle of the training camp. RBC said he left without permission over disagreements with head coach Jorge Jesus. [ 1 , 3 ]
Kommersant reported that the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) suspended the five-time Ballon d'Or winner after he left the national team's training camp without permission. According to The Mirror, as cited by Kommersant, the FPF disciplinary council will soon determine the length of the suspension, which could range from one to six months. Portugal's next matches are against Denmark on November 14 and Wales on November 17, Kommersant reported. [ 2 ]
Kommersant reported that Ronaldo, 41, announced on October 1 his decision to leave the national team camp after Portugal's match against Norway, because of disagreements with Jesus. He was not in the starting line-up and did not come on as a substitute, although he warmed up on the touchline for a long time in the second half. [ 2 ]
After the international window ended, during which Portugal won all four of their matches, Jesus and FPF president Pedro Proença called the situation a "misunderstanding", according to Kommersant. They said the sides would "now have time to sit down calmly and sort out the situation" and that Ronaldo could still return to the squad. [ 2 ]
A few days later Ronaldo, who had initially promised to tell his compatriots "the whole truth" "when the time comes", published a statement on social media saying that the FPF "must determine the punishment". He accused Jesus of "breaking promises" and said the two sides had "agreed" the text of an apology the coach was to deliver at a press conference. According to Ronaldo, Jesus was to say that he "regrets leaving a player of the level of Pele and Maradona on the bench" and would not do so again. Jesus did not say this; instead he said he had "nothing to apologise for" because "a coach has principles that are not up for discussion", Kommersant reported. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
Kommersant reported that the suspension could last from one to six months and that Portugal's next matches are against Denmark on November 14 and Wales on November 17. All three outlets base their reports on The Mirror, and the length of the suspension has not yet been set.
Key facts
- The Mirror reported that Cristiano Ronaldo has been temporarily suspended from playing for the Portugal national team. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Ronaldo left the national team's camp. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Kommersant and RBC said Ronaldo left without permission, over disagreements with head coach Jorge Jesus. [ 2 , 3 ]
- According to The Mirror, as cited by Kommersant, the FPF disciplinary council will set the length of the suspension, which could be from one to six months. [ 2 ]
- Ronaldo, 41, announced on October 1 his decision to leave the camp after Portugal's match against Norway, in which he neither started nor came on as a substitute, Kommersant reported. [ 2 ]
- Portugal's next matches are against Denmark on November 14 and Wales on November 17, according to Kommersant. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- How long the suspension will last. According to The Mirror, as cited by Kommersant, the FPF disciplinary council has yet to decide; it could be from one to six months.
- Whether the FPF has itself announced the suspension. All three outlets attribute the suspension to a report by The Mirror; none quotes an FPF statement on it.
- Whether Ronaldo will return to the national team. Kommersant reported that Jesus and FPF president Pedro Proença earlier said he could still return, before the reported suspension.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- October 9: TASS reports, citing The Mirror, that Ronaldo has been temporarily suspended from the Portugal national team. [ 1 ]
- October 9: Kommersant publishes a detailed report citing The Mirror on the suspension and the dispute with Jorge Jesus. [ 2 ]
- October 10: RBC reports the temporary suspension, citing The Mirror. [ 3 ]