Portugal provisionally suspend Ronaldo as disciplinary proceedings open

Cristiano Ronaldo has been provisionally suspended by the Portuguese football federation following his departure from the national-team camp, with disciplinary proceedings opened against the 41-year-old. The Guardian reported on Saturday that the case had been given urgent status, citing Portuguese newspaper A Bola's account of the federation's confirmation.

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The federation's statement described a non-automatic preventive suspension imposed as the proceedings began, following an earlier automatic preventive suspension. The action concerns Ronaldo's decision to leave Copenhagen before Portugal's Nations League match against Denmark last week. The reported measure is provisional, rather than a final disciplinary outcome.

Ronaldo set out his version of the disagreement with coach Jorge Jesus in a statement on Tuesday. He said they had agreed he would miss the Norway and Denmark fixtures to manage his fitness, but that Jesus then told him on the day of the Norway match to prepare for 30 minutes of playing time. Ronaldo said he warmed up from half-time but was never brought on.

According to the forward, a subsequent meeting involving Jesus and Al-Nassr sporting director Simão Coutinho produced an agreement for the coach to explain the situation publicly. The Guardian's earlier reporting said Ronaldo described an eight-point document stating that he had not demanded minutes and had respected selection decisions. He alleged that Jesus's subsequent public comments did not reflect that discussion, prompting his decision to leave.

Jesus has disputed the existence of an agreement. In its report on Ronaldo's statement, The Guardian said the coach denied making one after Portugal's win over Norway, while leaving open the possibility of the player's return. Ronaldo apologised for not greeting supporters after the Norway game and for leaving his teammates, acknowledging that being captain made his conduct more serious.

Portugal won all three matches in which Ronaldo was either absent or an unused substitute, with replacement Gonçalo Ramos scoring three times. Ronaldo has said he will accept a federation suspension but remains available to represent Portugal afterward if he is fit and playing for his club. His stated intention to continue competing goes beyond a farewell appearance, even as the disciplinary process now proceeds.