THE FRENCH soccer federation (FFF) have taken drastic measures to punish the principal instigators of France’s World Cup debacle by issuing suspensions to four leading players, including an unprecedented 18-match ban for Nicolas Anelka.
At 31, the Chelsea striker’s international career is now almost certainly over with the suspension set to stretch over a period of two years.
Former captain Patrice Evra has also been dealt with severely, landing a five-match suspension, while Franck Ribéry sits out three games and Jérémy Toulalan one. Just one of the five players summoned to attend yesterday’s hearing with the federation’s disciplinary committee – Barcelona defender Eric Abidal – has escaped punishment.
French soccer’s governing body had been under pressure to take a tough stance against the players that brought shame on the country.
Anelka's dressing-room outburst at half-time of Les Bleus' second match against Mexico on June 17th sparked one of the most dramatic implosions in the history of World Cup. The tirade of expletives that he is reported to have aimed at coach Raymond Domenech was splashed across the front page of L'Equipenewspaper two days later, shocking the nation and shattering any lingering sense of unity in the French camp.
Several players were angered by the federation’s decision to send Anelka home prematurely, and the entire squad boycotted training two days before the match against the hosts in a show of support to their team-mate. The former world champions bowed out with a whimper, losing 2-1 to South Africa, yet the talk ever since has focused on the astonishing strike.
While all 23 squad members continue to claim the decision not to train was unanimous, the federation’s inquest concluded that four players carried more responsibility. Anelka, Evra, Ribéry and Toulalan were therefore asked to attend yesterday’s meeting, along with Domenech and the federation’s former deputy managing director, Jean-Louis Valentin, who resigned on the day of the strike.
Abidal was also summoned after refusing to play against South Africa.
Both Anelka and Ribéry failed to attend, although the latter was at least represented by his lawyer and had a valid excuse as his club, Bayern Munich, insisted he stay in Germany.
Many in France had been demanding that an example be made of these players. Former France defender Lilian Thuram, now a member of the FFF’s advisory committee, even called for Evra to receive a life ban after failing so emphatically in his role as captain.
The severity of yesterday’s sanctions has nevertheless created shockwaves in the world of French soccer. Domenech’s successor, Laurent Blanc, ignored all 23 World Cup players for his first game in charge last week – a 2-1 friendly defeat in Norway – but made it clear he wanted everyone available again for the first Euro 2012 qualifier against Belarus on September 3rd.
The former Bordeaux coach now goes into his first competitive game without a host of important players, and is already attracting sympathy. Legendary coach Guy Roux, who is now a television pundit, was incredulous when he discovered the news.
“The decision is both stupid and nasty,” the former Auxerre boss said. “They obviously don’t want France to qualify for Euro 2012. Banning Ribéry is like cutting off the finger of a thief who is already in custody,” Roux continued. “As for Anelka, it’s a joke. By the time he’s served his suspension, that little beard of his will be all grey.”
Ex-France defender Eric Di Meco was not so concerned by Anelka’s situation, but described the bans as “crazy”. He explained: “Whether Anelka gets 8, 20 or 2,000 matches, it doesn’t matter. We all know that he has no intention of coming back. For the rest, it’s totally irrational. It just penalises Laurent Blanc,” Di Meco told RMC radio. “What I want to know is when are the bosses going to get their punishment?”
Valentin was one of the few to speak to the media after the Paris gathering, claiming the players present were regretful and ready to accept their punishment. “I sensed that the players are truthfully sorry, and been left damaged and mortified at what took place,” said the former federation chief. “I believe that now it is imperative we turn the page and move on.”
The matter is unlikely to disappear, however, with several issues yet to be resolved. Domenech, for example, is fighting to clear his name after the federation announced he had been sacked for failing to shake hands with his opposite number Carlos Alberto Parreira after the South Africa game. Should this be deemed a sackable offence, Domenech will not be paid for the final weeks of his contract.
Anelka, meanwhile, has commenced court action against L'Equipe, whom he claims misquoted him on their front-page headline.
