Nicolas Anelka was handed an 18-match ban by the French Football Federation (FFF) at a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday over the national team’s strike at this summer’s World Cup.
Manchester United defender Patrice Evra received a five-game suspension from international matches while Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery has been suspended for three games.
Jeremy Toulalan was given a one-match suspension by the FFF while Eric Abidal, the fifth player summoned to the hearing, escaped any sanctions.
Team captain Evra, Abidal and Toulalan were all interviewed in Paris about the team’s refusal to train before their final Group A match defeat against South Africa after Anelka was sent home following a row with coach Raymond Domenech.
According to media sources, Ribery was represented by his lawyer after the German champions refused to release him for the hearing while Anelka was also absent.
Chelsea striker Anelka was kicked off the team after being accused of insulting Domenech during their 2-0 loss to Mexico on June 17.
Domenech and former FFF head Jean-Pierre Escalette, who stepped down following the debacle, were among the witnesses called by the federation.
New France coach Laurent Blanc already suspended all 23 squad members for last week’s 2-1 friendly defeat against Norway as punishment.
World Cup advertising bonuses which were due to be paid to players have also been withheld by the FFF.
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