Cristiano Ronaldo asked for punishment ‘without mitigation’, then fought to cut it
Cristiano Ronaldo successfully lobbied to have his 30-day suspension for walking out of a Portugal training camp halved twice, despite his initial public statement that he should be punished without mitigation. The disciplinary council cited his past services to football and his admission of responsibility as reasons for the reduction.
Why it matters
The case highlights the tension between professional disciplinary standards and the influence of high-profile athletes in sports governance.
Cristiano Ronaldo was handed a 30-day suspension for walking out of Portugal’s camp in Denmark./Getty Images Cristiano Ronaldo was handed a 30-day suspension for walking out of Portugal’s camp in Denmark./Getty Images Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo asked for punishment ‘without mitigation’, then fought to cut it He presented several arguments after Portugal walkout
Inquiry chose to halve, then halve again his punishment
Prefer the Guardian on Google Cristiano Ronaldo successfully fought to reduce his punishment for walking out on a Portugal training camp, after saying publicly that his sanction should be imposed “without mitigating circumstances”.
After leaving the training camp in Denmark last month, Ronaldo said in a lengthy statement on social media that he should be punished as the Portuguese Football Federation saw fit and that his role as captain constituted “an aggravating factor”.
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