By David Gold
July 28 – Samir Nasri has been banned for three matches by the French Football Federation (FFF) for his behaviour after the country’s exit from the 2012 European Championship.
The Manchester City midfielder swore at a journalist following the 2-0 defeat to Spain in the quarterfinals.
The player has enjoyed a frosty relationship with the French media, and after scoring in the opening match against England, put his fingers to his lips in a gesture aimed at them.
France were beset by problems in their dressing room as rows played their part in the team’s ultimate downfall.
Nasri was reportedly at the heart of the arguments, for his performance in the 2-0 group defeat to Sweden.
He will now miss a friendly with Copa America champions Uruguay, and France’s opening two World Cup qualifiers – against Finland and Belarus.
Also banned by the FFF was Jérémy Menez, who will miss one match for France after arguing with goalkeeper Hugo Lloris during the quarterfinal.
Rennes midfielder Yann M’Vila and Newcastle’s Hatem Ben Arfa (pictured below, arriving at FFF headquarters) both escaped with warnings for their behaviour.
M’Vila refused to shake the hand of forward Olivier Giroud when substituted against Spain, while Ben Arfa argued with coach Laurent Blanc.
Blanc has since left his post, to be replaced by Didier Deschamps, who captained France to World Cup victory in 1998.
The action against Nasri is the latest in a series of suspensions given by the FFF to senior national team players.
Nicolas Anelka was banned for 18 matches following his argument with then coach Raymond Domenech at the World Cup in 2010.
After the team went on strike in protest at Anelka being sent home, Patrice Evra and Franck Ribery were also handed suspensions.
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