World Cup five ordered to appear before FFF

Nicolas Anelka was among five France internationals ordered to appear before the disciplinary commission of the French Football Federation (FFF) yesterday to explain the team’s training ground strike at the World Cup.

The 31-year-old Chelsea striker was sent home early from South Africa in disgrace after a dressing-room bust-up with former coach Raymond Domenech. His expulsion resulted in the other 22 members of the squad staging a one-day strike in support of Anelka.

Anelka, along with France captain Patrice Evra, Franck Ribery, Eric Abidal and Jeremy Toulalan, have been ordered to explain their roles in the refusal to train before the FFF on August 17.

Evra as the captain, Ribery as vice-captain, Anelka for insulting Domenech, Abidal for his refusal to play France’s final World Cup match against South Africa, and Toulalan for writing the statement issued by the players announcing their intention to strike.