Nicolas Anelka handed an 18-match ban by FFF; Franck Ribery, Patrice Evra, Jeremy Toulalan also banned
French International Nicolas Anelka has been handed an 18-match ban by the French Football Federation following his problems with the coach during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The Chelsea striker was sent back home from the World Cup following a spat with team manager Raymond Domenech during a (group-stages) match between France and Mexico. Following the disciplinary action, the French squad boycotted practice and issued a joint statement showing their discontent with the decision taken by the board.
During the World Cup, Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra was the captain of the France team; he was also handed a ban of 5 matches after the incident. Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery has also not been spared, as he was also part of the squad that revolted against the Federation; he has been suspended for 3 matches. Jeremy Toulalan has also handed a ban for one game.
Eric Abidal was the 5th player that was summoned by the Football Federation for the hearing, but he was not given any punishment. The 4 players punished were said to be at the centre of the issue in the World Cup. The incident in question took place during half time in the 2nd last match for France in the group stages, as the team made its way back to the locker rooms. Anelka reportedly busted out in anger on the manager’s tactics and used some foul language, after which the manager reported him to the Federation and he was later sent home during France’s World Cup campaign.
Patrice Evra and Franck Ribery were charged with allegations of not pulling their weight in the team as captain and vice-captain. Toulalan, meanwhile, was believed to be the main man behind the statement read out by the manager when the players boycotted training; it was said that Toulalan was the main man behind the players’ revolt and he instigated the whole boycott. Eric Abidal was called in to be questioned on his refusal to play in the final group game. France lost the final match 2-1 to hosts South Africa.
Earlier, in the match in which Anelka had his spat with the manager, France lost 2-0 to Mexico, and before that, the side played out a goalless draw with Uruguay. As a result, the 2006 World Cup finalists crashed out of the World Cup with just one point and one goal (against South Africa) in the group stages. It was also the first time in a World Cup that both teams that played the final in the last World Cup (France and Italy) did not make it past the group stages.
Nicolas Anelka did not help his case by not showing up at the hearing on Tuesday, and now his international career seems all but over. Ribery was also not available, but his club Bayern Munich issued a statement saying that with the start of the season, the player cannot be made available.
The two players sent their (respective) representatives, while Evra, Toulalan and Eric Abidal were there to defend their case in front of the jury.
Jean-Louis Valentin, the former French team director, said that he believes that the players regret the incident and feel remorseful for their actions. He said that players in the end do have the interest of the team at heart, and in due time would come around.
He said that it is important to forget whatever happened in the past and start a new chapter in French football. He said that it is the duty of everyone to make sure that France once again reaches the heights it used to be in. Jean said that France were once the world and European champions, and it is time that the players and the board start working towards a collective goal of rebuilding the national team.
Tags: