Nicholas Anelka Dying With Laughter Over 18 Match Ban
Nicholas Anelka, the France and Chelsea striker has been handed down an 18 match ban for the player’s coup d'état in the World Cup. This may very well be the end of the striker’s international career. At 31 he has some 69 caps and would have been looking forward to giving a few more appearances for the country before retiring. This “forced resignation” comes after the French team’s antics during the disappointing World Cup in South Africa where France crashed out, not winning a single match
Anelka, who had apparently led the revolt against Coach Raymond Domenech, was banished from the French squad and sent home early. Anelka lost his temper at half time during the 2-0 defeat against Mexico, and launched a foul mouthed attack at the coach, whom he believed was the reason for the poor performance. This unrest did not help the already failed World Cup campaign, and unlike the other teams which had been eliminated at the same stage, France went home with a heavy heart, dreading the expected consequences of their actions.
This incident has attracted unwanted attention to the French team, which was facing problems with bad publicity even before the World Cup. Franck Ribery, who is married with two children, had been accused of paying for the services of an underage prostitute. The case was kept under the radar so that it would not affect the team’s performance in the World Cup. But the French superstars created a drama of their own, which not only destroyed their chances at the World Cup, but their careers as well.
Anelka does not seem to be concerned with the fact that his international career is over. Le Sulk, as he is popularly known as, did not bother showing up for the disciplinary hearing. He has scored 14 goals in his career and never quite performed as well as was expected of him. He has had problems with his previous clubs, but has settled well with Chelsea, even winning the golden boot with them. However, his career with national teams comes to an unhappy end.
Jean Mazzella, the president of the disciplinary commission said in a press conference, “We wanted Anelka's sanction to set an example.” He felt that from the five players called for the hearing, Anelka was the most deserving of the ban. The French Captain, Patrice Evra was also handed down a five match ban for leading a training session boycott following Anelka’s expulsion. Ribery received a three match ban, Jeremy Toulalan one and Eric Abidal none, successfully escaping punishment.
The Fédération Française de Football hearing was not attended by Anelka and Ribery, who apparently did not get permission to leave from their respective clubs. Jean Louis Valentin, the former France team director told reporters after the hearing, “The players now realize that they should never have done such a thing. We have to acknowledge that they deserve another chance... Let's close this chapter and start another one.” Valentin testified during the hearing and believed that the behavior displayed by the team was unacceptable.
None of the players spoke to the media after the hearing, but Anelka has finally broken his silence. He revealed he was "dying with laughter" despite the unreasonable 18 match ban, because he believed the ban was nothing more than a charade at an attempt to not lose face. The Frenchman told reporters, “The so-called punishment has no relevance whatsoever because, for me, the French national team was an issue which ended on June 19 when I was kicked out of the training centre at Knysna. This is just to entertain the public, to turn the page because Laurent Blanc needs to be able to work in peace. These people are clowns. I am dying with laughter.”
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