The French soccer federation may ask Manchester City to ban Nicolas Anelka for two matches after he turned down a call-up for Wednesday's international friendly against Yugoslavia.
"The French federation is considering asking Anelka's club to ban him for two matches," a French media officer said in a statement today. "It's the federation's rule in such a case and a plea could be sent to the English soccer federation.
"If no sanction is taken we will put the case to FIFA." France coach Jacques Satini said he had learned of Anelka's decision in the newspapers.
"If he doesn't turn up here the sanction will be implemented. It's not up to me, it's the federation's rule. There are some values and duties I abide to and some players don't have the same values," Satini told a news conference at the team's training camp at Clairefontaine outside Paris.
"Everyone is responsible for his deeds. It confirms the character of this player." The sports daily L'Equipesaid today Anelka had flown in to Charles de Gaulle airport late last night to tell reporters about his refusal, which could spell the end of his international career.
"I met the coach last week when we played Manchester United and I was not convinced by what he said", Anelka was quoted as saying. Santini wanted to compensate for the possible absence of Olympique Lyon's Sidney Govou, who sustained a thigh injury during a league match against Girondins Bordeaux on Saturday.
"I have a feeling that this choice is being in a way forced upon (the coach), while I need to be accepted by all the squad's members to feel at ease", said Anelka, who did not tell Santini about his decision, but informed several France team mates.
Anelka, who has won 28 caps, had not played for France since the goalless draw against Russia in a World Cup warm-up match at the Stade de France in April.
The 23-year-old striker who joined City after a disappointing spell of six months with Liverpool last season had been overlooked by former coach Roger Lemerre for the World Cup finals.