By David Gold
June 27 – Frenchman Samir Nasri could be suspended from international football by his own national federation for up to two years following his outburst at a journalist following France’s elimination from the 2012 European Championship.
Nasri (pictured above) swore at a journalist who approached him for a quote following the 2-0 defeat to world and European champions Spain on Saturday (June 23).
He was subsequently told to “get lost” by the journalist in question, but has been condemned for his actions.
Manager Laurent Blanc has refused to defend Nasri’s actions, and although the former Bordeaux coach is likely to leave his post in the coming weeks, the French Football Federation (FFF) may move to suspend the Manchester City player anyway.
It would be just the latest in a string of suspensions the FFF has handed out to their players.
After the shambolic South Africa 2010 World Cup, when France went out having claimed one point and scored just one goal, three players were suspended for their role in a players’ strike.
Patrice Evra and Franck Ribéry were both given bans by the FFF, and although they have since returned, Nicolas Anelka (pictured below) has not.
The former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Paris St Germain forward was given an 18 game suspension, effectively retiring him from international football.
Blanc, who took over as coach after the World Cup, also chose to omit every player involved in the World Cup squad as punishment from his first game in charge.
Nasri has been at the centre of a row in the French camp that emerged last week in the build-up to the Spain game.
France had finished second in their group, behind England, having lost 2-0 to Sweden, following which reports emerged of an argument within the squad.
Those reports were seemingly confirmed by some of the squad, including Florent Malouda and Laurent Koscielny, with Nasri reported to be the subject of many player’s ire.
He has had to face accusations of playing in a selfish manner, and following his goal in the 1-1 draw with England earlier in the tournament, had put his finger to his lips, afterwards saying it was a message to the French press.
This is not the first time Nasri has fallen out with his fellow professionals; when playing for former club Arsenal, he did not get along with another Frenchman, William Gallas, and had an acrimonious departure from the North London side last year.
However, this latest dispute will concern the FFF, as France faced problems during the last World Cup over splits in the camp, and is likely to be keen to ensure any players seen to be divisive have their influence minimised.
Next Monday (July 2), according to L’Équipe, the FFF is to open a disciplinary procedure against Nasri.
Yann M’Vila, Hatem Ben Arfa and Jérémy Ménez will all be included in the disciplinary action too, says the French sports daily.
FFF President Noël Le Graët has already described Nasri’s behaviour as “intolerable”, and he will also be meeting with Blanc in the coming days to sort out his future.
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