Nicolas Anelka has labelled the French Football Federation (FFF) ‘clowns’ after handing down an 18-game suspension to the Chelsea striker following his removal from the French squad during the World Cup.
Anelka was one of four players punished for their role in the farce which gripped the French squad during their time in South Africa along with captain Patrice Evra, who received a five game ban, Franck Ribery, who received a three game ban and Jeremy Toulalan, who received a one match ban in an FFF disciplinary commission hearing on Tuesday.
Eric Abidal, who also attended the disciplinary hearing and the rest of the 23-man squad who took part in South Africa, escaped further punishment, having already been excluded from new manager Laurent Blanc’s squad for the friendly against Norway last week.
The severity of the punishment means that Anelka’s international career is likely to come to an end, but the 31-year old seemed indifferent to the punishment when asked about it by French newspaper France-Soir.
“For me, this whole commission thing is a nonsense, a charade not to lose face,†he said.
“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,†he added.
