Banned: France forward Anelka (right) has been
suspended for 18 matches
Nicolas Anelka's France career could be at an end after
he was hit with an 18-match suspension by the French Football
Federation.
Chelsea striker Anelka was disciplined for his part in the
internal strife which contributed to Les Bleus' early exit from the
World Cup in South Africa.
Patrice Evra has been handed a five-match ban, Franck Ribery a
three-match suspension, Jeremy Toulalan a one-game ban, while Eric
Abidal and the remaining members of the 23-man squad have escaped
further punishment, having already missed the first match of
Laurent Blanc's reign as coach.
Evra, Abidal, Anelka, Ribery and Toulalan were earlier this
month called to today's French Football Federation hearing to
discuss the behaviour of the national team during the tournament in
South Africa, when in-fighting led to them being eliminated in the
group stage.
Les Bleus' World Cup campaign descended into farce after the
squad went on strike after Anelka was sent home from South Africa
after an altercation with then coach Raymond Domenech.
France also finished bottom of their group after scoring just
one goal and earning one point in three matches.
Sitting out: France stars Ribery (left) and Evra
The fall-out from the team's lamentable performance led
to new coach Blanc suspending all 23 members of the World Cup squad
from his selection from the friendly against Norway in Oslo earlier
this month, while the FFF also withheld bonuses owed to the
players.
Barcelona defender Abidal, Manchester United defender Evra and
Toulalan, of Lyon, appeared at the hearing, while Chelsea striker
Anelka and Ribery of Bayern Munich sent representatives.
Anelka, at aged 31, has almost certainly seen his international
career come to an end after 69 caps, which included being part of
the victorious squad at Euro 2000.
A statement on the French Football Federation's official website
read: 'At a meeting in Paris this Tuesday, August 17, 2010,
following the submission by the federal council dated August 6,
2010 relating to events occurring within the France team at the
FIFA World Cup 2010, the federal commission for discipline of the
FFF has taken the following decisions:
Former France team director Jean-Louis Valentin, who resigned
following the farcical events in South Africa, earlier said the
rebels deserved a second chance.
After giving evidence at the hearing, Valentin said: 'As a lover
and supporter of the France team, I think everyone deserves a
second chance.'
Valentin indicated the players expressed remorse for their
actions.
'I felt the players apologise, marked and scarred by what had
happened,' he said. 'I think now they must know how to turn the
page and move on.
'There was a very good dialogue that lasted long enough.'
