France suspends Nicolas Anelka for 18 matches

[LDN Blue 7,903]

A tribunal is being held in France to explain the actions of the French team's actions in the 2010 World Cup. The following punishments have been handed out:

• Nicolas Anelka has been suspended for 18 matches.
• Patrice Evra has been suspended for 5 matches.
• Ribery has been suspended for 3 matches.
• Toulalan suspended for 1 match.
• Eric Abidal escapes any ban.

Update: Anelka has officially retired from international football, the ban would still stand if he came out.

[Madmax 9,219]

Good for us. No ban for Henry? Oh that's right - cheating is allowed, speaking your mind isn't.

[Steve 10,227]

No surprises on him retiring really. At least he can focus on the blues that actually win trophies.

[Peace. 4,352]

Only one games for Ribery and five games for Evra ?! Wtf !

[Peace. 4,352]

Sorry for the double post.

But according to the french press, Ribery takes three games, and not one game.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Sorry for the double post.

But according to the french press, Ribery takes three games, and not one game.

Updated.

[Aria 19]

Hm no ban for Henry... great FFF

I hope Malouda retires, too. Can't stand this team, they need to start a whole new squad anyway...

[BRMC 12]

18 games is one lengthy punishment at least he can concentrate fully on us now which can only be a benefit, providing he isnt to upset about it all. At least hes welcome back here but i cant imagine the outcry if one of our boys ended it on these type of terms for England.

[Milan 17,854]

lol ban for 18 games, glad he retired. It is a circus that national team.

[Luke 60]

Its good for Chelsea really, can they ban Malouda too please? LOL.

[chrismada9 1,948]

I suppose it's a good thing for us. He can solely concentrate on Chelsea now, and hopefully we can get the best out of him this season.

[Madmax 9,219]

Nicolas Anelka has claimed he was "dying with laughter" despite the 18-match suspension imposed by the French Football Federation on Tuesday.

The former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker appeared unconcerned and reserved his ire for the disciplinary commission of the FFF.

He told France-Soir: "For me, this whole commission thing is a nonsense, a charade not to lose face.

"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."

Source

[caesarblues 51]

[Aria 19]

"These people are clowns. I am dying with laughter."

This is getting epic.

[Manuf 1,448]

Anelka you legend

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Anelka gets 18 months...

Domenech gets the chop:

[Kez 2,727]

Love Anelka's comments! The ban is irrelevant as he's retired it's France's loss and our gain.

[SamChelsea 0]

atleast anelka can focus on chelsea abit more - not like he didnt anyway