Chelsea FC

• Nickname:
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Carlo Ancelotti

• Ground:
• Capacity:NaN

Ancelotti defends banned Anelka

20 Aug 2010 - 14:43:39

Click To Enlarge

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has defended Nicolas Anelka following the France striker's lengthy international ban.

Ancelotti claims he has never had a problem with Anelka, who was hit with an 18-match ban by the French Football Association (FFF) earlier in the week.

The 31-year-old striker's international career is now effectively over after he was suspended following his conduct at the recent World Cup finals in South Africa.

Anelka was sent home from a tournament in which Les Bleus failed to win a game following a row with coach Raymond Domenech.

Speaking after the hearing which he chose not to attend, the striker laughed off the ban and labelled the national federation "clowns".

However, despite his often controversial reputation, Ancelotti has defended Anelka and accused the FFF of a taking a heavy-handed approach.

"I think it was unfair for him - 18 games is too much," he said.

"I don't know what happened there but Anelka is an honest man and he didn't deserve the decision.

"It is good news for myself because he can stay here to train during the international break, he can maintain a good condition.

"But for him it is not good news because every player wants to play in the national team.

"But Anelka has reacted very well. He has taken it with good spirit."