Spanish Journalist Ridicules Portugal’s €255 Fine for Ronaldo, Points Out Double‑Standard
Portugal’s Disciplinary Council Hands Cristiano Ronaldo a 30‑Day Ban and a €255 Fine
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has imposed a one‑month suspension and a modest monetary penalty on Cristiano Ronaldo after he left the national team’s training camp ahead of the UEFA Nations League match against Denmark in Copenhagen on 30 September. According to the federation’s disciplinary report, Ronaldo told president Pedro Proença that he was not in the right mental state to stay with the squad and departed the venue in a vehicle arranged by the federation’s director of services.
The disagreement reportedly stemmed from a clash with head coach Jorge Jesus over the veteran’s role in the upcoming match. Ronaldo later accused the coach of reneging on promises regarding his playing time and of failing to issue a joint public statement that they had allegedly agreed to release.
Details of the Sanction
- Suspension: 30 days, counted from the day Ronaldo left the camp, even though he was not called up for the subsequent match.
- Fine: €255 (approximately $286).
The timing of the suspension means that, once it expires, Ronaldo could be eligible for selection for Portugal’s November fixtures.
Juanma Castaño’s Sarcastic Take on Spanish Radio
During the sports program "El Partidazo de COPE," Spanish commentator Juanma Castaño mocked the FPF’s decision, highlighting what he saw as a disparity between the severity of the sporting sanction and the triviality of the financial one. He noted that the 30‑day ban, although technically in force, began on the day Ronaldo walked out of the camp, effectively running while he was already absent from the national team.
Castaño then turned to the €255 fine, delivering the punchline that captured listeners’ attention: in many Spanish towns, a fine of roughly €300 can be issued simply for taking out the rubbish at the wrong hour – a penalty he suggested is more punitive than deserting a national side.
Mitigating Circumstances Cited by Ronaldo’s Representatives
In the disciplinary dossier, Ronaldo’s legal team presented mitigating arguments based on his long‑standing contributions to football, his personal achievements, and his assistance in clarifying the facts surrounding the incident. The FPF accepted the points related to his service to the sport and his sporting merits, but rejected the claim that he had played a decisive role in uncovering the truth.
The federation explained that the accepted mitigating factor applied to cases where the investigation is particularly complex, which they said was the situation here.
International Reaction and the Fine’s Reputation
The modest size of the fine has drawn attention beyond the Iberian Peninsula. A BBC panel in the United Kingdom reportedly chuckled at the amount, joking that Ronaldo could have submitted his CV as part of his defence, given the emphasis placed on his career accolades.
While the suspension could affect the relationship between Ronaldo and coach Jesus, the short duration means the striker may still feature in the national team’s upcoming matches if the two parties reconcile.
What This Means for Portugal Moving Forward
The episode underscores the delicate balance the Portuguese federation must maintain between enforcing discipline and managing one of the game’s most high‑profile personalities. The public nature of the dispute, amplified by media commentary such as Castaño’s, adds pressure on both the coach and the player to resolve their differences before the next international window.
For fans, the key takeaway is that Ronaldo’s absence from the September fixture is likely to be brief, and the €255 fine, though symbolic, has become a talking point that illustrates how disciplinary actions can be perceived differently across borders.
Post a Comment