Cristiano Ronaldo provisionally suspended by Portuguese Football Federation
Cristiano Ronaldo has been provisionally suspended by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) after leaving Portugal's Nations League camp, the federation said on 9 October, adding it had marked the case as "urgent".
The 41-year-old Portugal captain and five-time Ballon d'Or winner left his country's international camp after being an unused substitute in the Nations League win over Norway on 4 October and then learning he would not start against Denmark in November. The Al-Nassr forward published a near 2,000-word statement on Instagram in which he said coach Jorge Jesus twice "broke his word", accusing him of an "absolute breach of trust".
The FPF said a "provisional suspension" was issued on 9 October and described the matter as urgent. Its rules state any player who fails to appear or walks out on international duties faces a ban of one to six months, as well as a fine.
Pedro Proenc, president of the FPF, told Portuguese outlet Record: "This is a time for calm and composure. We are all sitting down together at the table. "There is a strong desire to have our captain back with us. There will be a normal disciplinary process."
Ronaldo accepted accountability and apologised to his team-mates and fans for his actions, before adding he deserved to be punished, and he confirmed he would not be retiring from international football as he continues to chase down 1000 career goals. He returned to club action last week, scoring his 980th career goal in a 3-0 win for Al-Nassr over Diriyah Club.
The forward has scored 146 goals in 234 Portugal appearances - both men's world records - and helped Portugal win Euro 2016 and the Nations League twice; he had considered retiring after the World Cup in the summer but opted to continue.
The episode follows wider debate over Ronaldo's role after many fans criticised former Portugal boss Roberto Martinez's insistence on starting him at this summer's World Cup. Manager Jorge Jesus has said the door remains open for Ronaldo to return if he chooses to, but has not commented on the player's latest statement, which included: "We will have one or more farewell matches, there will be time for that."
Portuguese football journalist Jose Manuel Delgado told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I don't think there is a way back. In the statement, Ronaldo says he will return to the national team but at the same time he calls Jesus a liar three times. "In the polls in Portugal, only 15% of the Portuguese were on Ronaldo's side and people think we owe him a lot but his time is already done and he must understand it. "The problem is that Ronaldo does not understand it, he wants to keep playing as if he was 24, not 41. "Things will never be the same again. No matter what happens, no matter if he plays again or if you have a game to say goodbye to Ronaldo things will never be the same. "What Ronaldo did for Portuguese football is unique and incredible and we must thank him for all the service he gave to Portugal. But at 41, he has no place in the best XI of Portugal."
The FPF has initiated a disciplinary process and, under its rules, the matter could result in a ban of one to six months and a fine as it pursues the urgent case.
