Nicolas Anelka laughs off 18-match France ban
France striker Nicolas Anelka has paid the price for his unprofessional behaviour in South Africa after being handed an 18-match ban from international football, but was unrepentant on hearing the news.
In fact, the 31-year-old claimed that he was “dying with laughter” when informed by the French Football Federation (FFF) of the punishment, and branded the organisation as “clowns”.
Anelka chose to not turn up to Tuesday’s FFF disciplinary hearing, which was organised off the back of this summer’s World Cup fiasco.
The Chelsea forward was sent home from the 2010 World Cup finals in disgrace after a foul-mouthed tirade at France coach Raymond Domenech during the team’s 2-0 group stage loss against Mexico, which then prompted the rest of his teammates to revolt.
Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra was regarded as the instigator of what followed. As captain of the team, Evra and his teammates refused to train, as the situation quickly descended into anarchy. Robert Duverne, France’s fitness coach, was caught on film having a bust-up with Evra on the training pitch, which led to him handing in his resignation – but not before dramatically throwing his accreditation badge on to the pitch.
As a result, Evra has been slapped with a five-match ban for his role in the ill-fated World Cup campaign which brought shame on France. Although Domenech departed after the World Cup, new coach Laurent Blanc was dismayed at what he’d seen unfold in South Africa, and dropped every one of the 23-man squad for his first game in charge against Norway.
But it’s Anelka who unsurprisingly bore the brunt of the criticism after a government inquiry, and is now unlikely to ever play for the national team again.
However, if the striker’s statement is anything to go by then he isn’t particularly fussed by that prospect. Anelka said the suspension “has no relevance whatsoever” because he felt his international career had ended when he was sent home in June.
"This whole thing is a nonsense, to turn the page because Laurent Blanc needs to be able to work in peace," Anelka told France Soir. "The whole commission thing is a charade not to lose face."
Along with Anelka and Evra, Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribéry was hit with a three-match ban, while Lyon’s Jeremy Toulalan will miss just one. Barcelona full-back Eric Abidal was also summoned to the hearing, although he will serve no suspension after escaping punishment.
For Anelka, though, it seems that his international career has come to a premature end in the most acrimonious of circumstances. And on the basis of his prickly response to his ban, the FFF will feel their decision was wholeheartedly justified.
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