Cristiano Ronaldo receives 30-day suspension and £215 fine over Portugal walkout
- Disciplinary council upholds charge against 41-year-old
- Fifa suspends Egypt’s Hossam Hassan and Mostafa Ziko
Reuters
Cristiano Ronaldo has been suspended for 30 days by the Portuguese FA after leaving the national team camp following a rift with the coach, Jorge Jesus, over his role in the side. The federation’s disciplinary council said it had upheld the charge against the 41-year-old forward in full and imposed a fine of €255 (£215).
Ronaldo left Portugal’s base in Copenhagen before their Nations League match against Denmark this month, having accused Jesus of twice breaking his word about his role after he was an unused substitute against Norway. Jesus denied making any agreement with Ronaldo but left the door open for his return after Portugal’s 2-1 win.
The disciplinary council’s non-professional section found Ronaldo had intentionally committed an offence under Article 160(1) of the federation’s disciplinary regulations. Proceedings were opened on 9 October over facts reported two days earlier.
The statement did not specify which matches or activities the suspension would cover, or whether time already served under a provisional suspension would count towards the 30-day sanction.
Ronaldo later apologised for failing to acknowledge supporters after the Norway match and for leaving his teammates, saying he remained available for selection after serving any punishment arising from the incident.
The Portuguese FA president, Pedro Proença, has said everyone within the federation wanted Ronaldo to return to the national team once the matter was resolved.
Meanwhile, Fifa has suspended the Egypt coach, Hossam Hassan, and the forward Mostafa Ziko for three and five matches respectively, the Egyptian Football Association said on Monday, after they criticised the referee following their 3-2 defeat by Argentina in the World Cup.
The 60-year-old Hassan was sanctioned after blaming refereeing errors for his country’s elimination from the tournament in the last 16, while Ziko insulted the referee in a post-match interview.
Ibrahim Hassan, Hossam’s twin and Egypt’s national team director, has also been suspended for three matches.
“The decisions include the suspension of Hossam Hassan and Ibrahim Hassan for three matches each, while Ziko has been suspended for five matches,” the EFA said in a statement.
