Rui Jorge's participation at Euro 2004 on home soil was jeopardised when he tested positive in February that year for Budesonide, commercially known as Pulmicort. He said that the substance came from a medically recommended spray for his rhinitis. His suspension was lifted in May, with the fault placed on Sporting for not notifying authorities of his medical exemption; at the tournament, he was one of four players – three from defence – dropped by Luiz Felipe Scolari after the opening 2–1 loss to Greece, and did not return for the remainder of the competition, which Portugal lost in the final to the same team.