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Nicolas Anelka today laughed off his 18-match ban from the France national team insisting he has been made a scapegoat for the country's disastrous World Cup campaign.
The Chelsea striker claimed he was “dying with laughter” despite his international career effectively being over following the French Football Federation's punishment.
The FFF launched an investigation into France's calamitous World Cup and have held Anelka responsible.
He was sent home from the tournament after rowing with former France coach Raymond Domenech at half-time in their 2-0 defeat against Mexico. The squad then went on strike in protest and the in-fighting led to the 2006 finalists crashing out at the group stage.
Anelka will be 33 by the time his suspension is over and although it seems unlikely he will add to his 69 caps, he is unperturbed.
“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 19 June 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.”
The FFF have also banned Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra (five games), Franck Ribery (three) and Jeremy Toulalan (one). The remaining members of the 23-man squad have escaped further punishment, having already been suspended for the first match of Blanc's reign as coach — a 2-1 defeat in Norway last Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Michael Ballack has revealed Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti wanted to keep him.
The midfielder was released on a free transfer in the summer after four seasons at Stamford Bridge and returned to former club Bayer Leverkusen.
But when asked who made the decision to let him leave, the 33-year-old said: “It was the club. I know I had the backing of the coach but unfortunately it didn't happen and I had move on to my next challenge with Leverkusen.
“I would have loved to finish my career at Chelsea and I admit they were my No1 option when my contract expired last summer.
“I was a little disappointed when we could not come to an agreement on a new contract because at one point, I thought we would get there.
“[I don't feel] rejection, just a little disappointment, as I played to a high standard last year in the Premier League. I started regularly and I'm proud of the part I played in our Double. I don't feel any bitterness towards Chelsea and I hope they keep on winning. Ancelotti is an excellent organiser, they have the footballing ability, character and physical strength. I see them as one of the favourites for the Champions League in 2011.”
Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck has given a simple explanation as to why Ballack was allowed to leave. He said: “It was about freshening up the squad.”
Reader views (9)
He plays very well for Chelsea. That's all I care about. International football is a farce.
Kevin: your surname sums up your comment!
- Dom, London, 18/08/2010 14:39
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Football Associations, seemingly, are the same the World over. Run by inept, lily-livered poltroons.
£6m a year for England's charlatan of a Manager and the buffoons renew his contract BEFORE a ball's been kicked at The World Cup. Staggering.
Moral is at an all-time low in the squad and that's saying something. One point (maximum) from the games against Switzerland and Bulgaria, they'll be forced to sack him before the year's out. The FA cretins will appoint an 'Englishman', as a matter of reactionary principle, which is totally the wrong way to look at it.
In my opinion they should move heaven and earth to get Wenger to take charge. He may be French, but he's intelligent plus he can speak and understand the English language, unlike the present pig-headed incumbent. His teams would be attractive to watch and he'd encourage the youngsters. England may not win anything but, hey, what's new ?
- Charlie, Nr. Crackpot, North Yorkshire, 18/08/2010 14:05
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Anelka was banned for speaking out against an inept French national manager and has clearly been made a scapegoat for the inadequacies of the French FA who appear to be as woefully inadequate as our English FA!
Judging by his electric performance over 90 mins last Saturday against West Brom I would consider his form hasn't been affected by this in any way at all?
I'm not a Chelsea supporter but I would certainly be happy for "the Sulk" to play in my side any time!
- Tim B., Addlestone, England, 18/08/2010 12:58
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Anelka is cleary a T**t.as are the French Fa,but what is the popint of banning a moron for 18 games when he has said he has staded he has retired from international football,did they not realise that??
Aftrer watching his games at this level,he really should be fresh to play for Chelsea,hardle Mr i put the effort in..is he???
- Tom, croxley, 18/08/2010 11:47
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Surely it is apparent to all that Anelka is being made a scapegoat for the total incompetence of those that retained Domenech as manager!
- Kevin Sullivan, Roehampton, London., 18/08/2010 11:43
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sums up this man, arrogant to the last
- George, London, 18/08/2010 11:23
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Well your comment is a load of Bollox Kevin. Think it is pretty funny really that he received an 18 match ban. Means he can concentrate on playing well for Chelsea & helping them to retain the title as well as any other trophies.
- Chelsea Cass, London, 18/08/2010 11:12
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The morons who allowed Domenech to continue as manager, when he was clearly not up to the job, are the ones who should be banned. It seems the French FA are as incompetent as our own, who gave Capello an extension to his contract before the World Cup Finals, when it is clear that when arranging international managment contracts they should end shortly after finals, so an unsuccessful manager can be let go. The latest nonsense is that the next manager after Capello will be English, when Steve MacLaren clearly proved how inept English managers are. I have a horrible feeling it will be Gareth Southgate, who took Middlesborough down in style! Whatever you think of Sven & Capello, at least they qualified for major tournaments.
- Robbie Englander, Wemberlee, 18/08/2010 09:45
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What a prize prat, another typically arrogant comment from an overpaid underbrained kicker of white leather balls around a grass field
- Kevin Bollox, London, 18/08/2010 09:38
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