Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has slammed the French Football Federation for banning Nicolas Anelka for 18 matches.

Anelka has been suspended from international duty after being sent home from the World Cup following a dressing room row with then-France coach Raymond Domenech at half-time of the group stage match against Mexico.

The French squad refused to train for one day in South Africa in a show of solidarity with Anelka – an action which sparked outrage in France and led to a government probe into the scandal.

Blues striker Anelka responded to the ban by calling the federation’s chiefs “clowns” and insisted he had already retired from international football.

Ancelotti is adamant Anelka doesn’t deserve to be hit with such a lengthy suspension and, speaking at his weekly press conference on Friday, he said: “I think it was unfair for him – 18 games is too much.

“I don’t know what happened there but Anelka is an honest man and he didn’t deserve the decision.

“But Anelka has reacted very well. He has taken it with good spirit.”

Ancelotti, who took charge at Chelsea last year, insists Anelka has never caused him any problems and he believes the ban is good news for the Premier League champions as it gives one of their star players extra time to rest.

“He never caused any problems for me. It is good news for myself because he can stay here to train during the international break, he can maintain a good condition,” Ancelotti added.

“But for him it is not good news because every player wants to play in the national team.”