The Portuguese Football Federation has faced criticism after handing Cristiano Ronaldo a 30-day suspension and €255 fine. International media have questioned the punishment, which is unlikely to make him miss any Portugal matches.
Portuguese FA Faces Ridicule Over Ronaldo’s Surprisingly Light Punishment
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) is facing criticism after handing Cristiano Ronaldo a 30-day suspension and a €255 fine, with international media questioning how serious the punishment really is.
The decision was officially announced on October 19 after Ronaldo left Portugal’s national team camp following a disagreement with head coach Jorge Jesus.
However, instead of ending the controversy, the punishment has created another debate.
Media outlets in England, Brazil and Spain have highlighted the surprisingly small fine and the fact that Ronaldo is unlikely to miss any international matches.
British media question Ronaldo’s punishment
British sports outlet talkSPORT was among the first to question the federation’s decision.
The outlet described Ronaldo’s 30-day suspension as almost meaningless and highlighted how small the €255 fine was compared to his enormous earnings.
According to reports, Ronaldo earns hundreds of millions of euros each year through his Al Nassr contract and commercial deals.
For one of the world’s highest-paid athletes, a €255 fine represents an extremely small financial punishment.
But the money is not the only reason the decision has attracted attention.
The suspension itself may have almost no impact on Ronaldo’s international career.
Brazilian media highlight fans mocking the fine
Brazilian newspaper GE Globo also reported on the reaction to Ronaldo’s punishment.
The outlet highlighted humorous comments on social media about the amount the Portuguese superstar was ordered to pay.
According to GE, the small fine quickly became a subject of jokes among football fans.
Many supporters found it surprising that a player with Ronaldo’s extraordinary wealth received a punishment worth just €255.
However, the criticism largely concerns the size and practical effect of the punishment rather than the federation’s right to discipline the player.
Ronaldo could avoid missing any Portugal matches
Another major talking point is the timing of the suspension.
Although Ronaldo received a 30-day ban, he had already served 19 days when the punishment was officially announced.
That left just 11 days remaining, meaning his suspension is expected to end before November.
Portugal’s next matches are scheduled against Denmark on November 14 and Wales on November 17, so Ronaldo could be available for both games.
Spanish news agency Europa Press also highlighted the light punishment and the possibility of Ronaldo returning during the next international break.
This has raised questions about whether the suspension has any real sporting effect.
Why did Portugal give Ronaldo such a light punishment?
Ronaldo left the national team camp on September 30 after becoming frustrated with his role under Jorge Jesus.
The 41-year-old accused the coach of breaking his promise about playing time, although Jesus denied making such an agreement.
The FPF later found Ronaldo guilty of breaking its disciplinary rules.
Under those regulations, leaving the national team without permission can lead to a suspension of between one and six months.
However, Ronaldo received the minimum punishment after the disciplinary committee considered his public apology, previous conduct and contributions to Portuguese football.
The decision was therefore made under the federation’s rules, even though the final punishment has attracted criticism.
Ronaldo’s international future remains uncertain
Despite the controversy, Ronaldo has made it clear that he has not retired from international football.
Earlier in October, he publicly apologised for leaving the national team and said he was willing to accept disciplinary action.
His suspension is now expected to finish before Portugal’s next international matches.
However, Jorge Jesus still has the final decision on whether Ronaldo will return to the squad.
The Portuguese Football Federation has officially punished its biggest star, but the surprisingly light sanction continues to raise questions.
With Ronaldo potentially missing no international matches and paying just €255, the debate is no longer only about his actions. It is also about whether the federation’s punishment was strong enough.
