Corinthians to discipline Ronaldo for partying

SAO PAULO (AP) -Ronaldo will be punished for ignoring a team curfew, Corinthians said on Friday.

The team's Web site provided no further details but according to the GloboEsporte Web site, Ronaldo will be fined for staying out too late at a party on Thursday.

Corinthians players were ordered back to their hotel from a team get-together at a director's home in the city of Presidente Prudente by 11 p.m. (0200 GMT), but Ronaldo did not return until 5:30 a.m. (0800 GMT).

The 32-year-old Ronaldo signed a one-year contract with Corinthians in December, and for a long while trained apart from the team in an effort to lose weight and fully recover from left knee surgery about a year ago while playing for AC Milan. He's expected to make his debut next week.

Corinthians was in Presidente Prudente training for a Sao Paulo state championship match against Marilia on Sunday.

Corinthians returned to the Brazilian league this year after spending 2008 in the second division. The four-time national champions are second in the Sao Paulo state championship, one point behind defending champion Palmeiras.

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