- LISBON, Portugal: Portugal coach Paulo Bento says Ricardo Carvalho’s walkout from the national squad’s training camp ahead of a Euro 2012 qualifier was “very serious” and warrants a public apology by the Real Madrid defender.
Carvalho stormed out of the Portugal camp ahead of last week’s 4-0 win against Cyprus, apparently because he was angry at being named on the substitutes’ bench. He later announced he was quitting international football.
Despite the controversy, Bento said in a television interview late Tuesday that Carvalho should not be sanctioned.
The Portuguese Football Federation is due to examine the case and could impose a ban on Carvalho playing in Portugal for up to three months.
The ban could be extended to Europe if the federation reports the case to UEFA.