FIFA 'assists' Al Nassr in sanctioning Ronaldo

Under FIFA rules, Al Nassr possesses a solid legal basis to punish or potentially end Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract after his disputed decision not to participate in a match.

Based on current FIFA regulations, Al Nassr holds full legal authority to take strict measures against Cristiano Ronaldo, after the Portuguese forward refused to take the field in the most recent game.

Although he only renewed his contract last June, extending it until 2027, his refusal to play against Al Riyadh is seen as a breach that could trigger contractual violation clauses. According to Article 17 of FIFA’s "Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players," the injured party has the right to claim appropriate compensation.

Specifically, compensation will be determined based on actual damages, applying the principle of “positive interest,” considering the particular circumstances of the case and complying with the relevant national legal system. This means that if Al Nassr opts to terminate the contract, the Saudi club can demand Ronaldo reimburse any losses incurred.

Beyond financial aspects, FIFA also imposes sporting sanctions on players who unilaterally breach contracts during the “protected period,” with the harshest penalty being a 4-month ban from all official competitions. However, Ronaldo’s case has a key difference. For players over 28 years old, the protected period lasts only the first 2 years of the contract, which Ronaldo has already surpassed at Al Nassr.

This opens the possibility that if both parties “go their separate ways,” the 40-year-old superstar could immediately sign with another club without facing a suspension. His registration to play would then depend solely on the necessary legal procedures.

Notably, Ronaldo was not even listed in the squad for Al Nassr’s 1-0 victory over Al Riyadh. According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, the reason stems from Ronaldo’s dissatisfaction with how the Saudi Public Investment Fund manages the club, especially when compared to the preferential treatment given to rival clubs under the same fund. These ongoing developments are pushing Ronaldo’s future in Saudi Arabia into an increasingly uncertain state.