Lisbon: Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has been fined €255 ($285) and handed a 30-day suspension by the Portuguese Football Federation for leaving the national team camp without authorisation.
The federation had provisionally suspended Ronaldo and on Monday described the punishment as “appropriate and sufficient”.
According to the federation, Ronaldo admitted the charges and the facts of the case in an official statement submitted on Friday. His admission of wrongdoing and previously clean disciplinary record were considered mitigating factors when determining the sanction.
Despite these factors, the fine imposed was the maximum permitted under the federation’s regulations.
Ronaldo has the option to appeal against the suspension. However, he had previously apologised and said he expected to face punishment. He did not immediately issue a public response after the suspension was announced.
During the recent Nations League matches, Ronaldo featured in Portugal’s opening win against Wales but was an unused substitute in a victory in Norway on September 27. He reportedly accused coach Jorge Jesus of breaking an agreement over his selection before leaving the camp.
Portugal went on to beat Denmark and Norway again without Ronaldo to secure a place in the quarter-finals.
