Portugal ban Carvalho for 1 year after walkout

The Portuguese Football Federation has handed Ricardo Carvalho a 12-month ban for walking out of the national squad's training camp ahead of a Euro 2012 qualifier.

The Real Madrid defender stormed out of the Portugal camp ahead of a 4-0 win against Cyprus, apparently angry at the prospect of being put on the substitutes' bench. He later announced he was retiring from international football but did not explain his behaviour.

The federation said on Tuesday it was banning Carvalho for less than the maximum two years possible because of his record with Portugal.

The 33-year-old Carvalho, a central defender who previously played for Porto and Chelsea, has collected 75 caps since his 2003 debut.