Cristiano Ronaldo could face a suspension of up to six months after leaving the Portugal national team camp without permission.
The forward reportedly departed the squad in Copenhagen on Wednesday following a fallout with head coach Jorge Jesus after being left on the bench against Norway.
Ronaldo later held talks with Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) president Pedro Proença, but his departure could still trigger disciplinary proceedings under the federation’s regulations.
The FPF disciplinary code states that players who leave or fail to attend national team activities without justification can face a suspension of between one and six months, as well as a fine.
The regulations, as reported by ESPN, state: “Any player who, having been duly called up, abandons or fails to attend training, a match, or any activity of the national teams or related to the sporting representation of the FPF or Portugal without justification, shall be sanctioned with a suspension of one to six months and, accessorily if a professional player, a fine between 500 and 1,000 euros.”
The dispute reportedly began after Jesus left Ronaldo as an unused substitute during Portugal’s match against Norway.
The coach then defended his decision during his pre-match briefing in Copenhagen, insisting Ronaldo’s status would not influence his team selection.
Jesus said: “I can promise whatever I want. I am the manager. I am the coach, and I told the player he was not going to play. I’ll put him on the bench; if I need you for 30 minutes, you’ll play, and if not, you won’t. No player will ever change my mind. Not him, not anyone in football. Not any president either. Never, zero.”
Ronaldo subsequently missed Portugal’s training session at Parken Stadium on Wednesday.
The FPF confirmed his absence in an official statement, saying: “Parken Stadium training update: Joao Felix rejoined the group. Francisco Conceicao (ruled out for tomorrow) and Cristiano Ronaldo did not train.”
Ronaldo had already missed Tuesday’s training session in Sweden.
His continued absence means he has been left out of Portugal’s squad for Thursday’s match, while the circumstances surrounding his departure could now expose him to disciplinary action.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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