Cristiano Ronaldo has been provisionally suspended by Portugal's football federation after walking out on the national team.

The federation, known as the FPF, said Saturday it opened disciplinary proceedings against the 41-year-old captain, The Guardian reported. The suspension was issued Oct. 9, and the FPF marked the case as "urgent," the BBC reported.

Ronaldo left Portugal's Nations League squad in September. He had been an unused substitute against Norway. Then he learned he would not start against Denmark, and he left the team camp in Copenhagen before that match.

In a long statement, Ronaldo said Portugal coach Jorge Jesus twice "broke his word." He accused the coach of an "absolute breach of trust," the BBC reported.

On Tuesday, Ronaldo apologized to fans. But he again criticized Jesus. He said he would serve any "suspension that is imposed" on him, The Guardian reported.

FPF rules say any player who fails to show up for or walks out on national team duty faces a ban, the BBC said.

Ronaldo is Portugal's all-time top scorer and the most-capped men's player in international football. He plays club football for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. He has said he wants to keep playing for his country.

It is unclear how long a ban could last. The federation did not say when it would make a final decision. A long suspension could keep him out of key matches as Portugal builds toward future tournaments.

The dispute is a rare public fight between one of the world's most famous athletes and his national team.

What we know: Portugal's federation provisionally suspended Ronaldo and opened disciplinary proceedings.
What we don't: how long any ban will last or when a decision will come.