Anelka hit with 18-match ban

France striker Nicolas Anelka’s international career all but officially came to an end yesterday as he received an 18-match ban for his foul-mouthed outburst at then coach Raymond Domenech at the World Cup, a French Football Federation disciplinary commission decided.

The commission also handed out a five-match ban to captain Patrice Evra, three matches to vice-captain Franck Ribery and one match to midfielder Jeremy Toulalan.

Eric Abidal, the fifth player called before the commission – Ribery was not present as his club Bayern Munich refused to release him and Anelka, as expected, did not show up – convinced the commission that he was an innocent party and was absolved.

The five players had been summoned to appear before the disciplinary commission over the strike that shamed the World Cup finals squad as they went on strike in protest at the expulsion from the squad of Anelka over his outburst at then coach Raymond Domenech.

Former deputy managing director of the team, Jean-Louis Valentin, was one of those called to give evidence and the only one to speak publicly immediately after doing so.

Valentin, who was one of the few to emerge with his dignity intact at the finals having quit in tears in disgust the day they went on strike, said that he had discerned a genuine sense of remorse from the three players who had turned up.

“As a lover of the French team, and as a supporter of the France team, I think that each player has the right to a second chance,” he said.

The FFF are also seeking to sack Domenech from his contract with the National Technical Direction (DTN) without paying him any compensation.