Ancelotti slams French federation over Anelka ban

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has slammed the French Football Federation for banning striker Nicolas Anelka for 18 matches.

Anelka was suspended from international duty after being sent home from the World Cup following a dressing room row with then-France coach Raymond Domenech at half-time of the group stage match against Mexico.

The French squad refused to train for one day in South Africa in a show of solidarity with Anelka – an action which sparked outrage in France and led to a government probe into the scandal.

Blues striker Anelka responded to the ban by calling the federation’s chiefs “clowns” and insisted he had already retired from international football.

Ancelotti is adamant Anelka doesn’t deserve to be hit with such a lengthy suspension and, speaking at his weekly press conference on Friday, he said: “I think it was unfair for him – 18 games is too much.

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

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

Ancelotti, who took charge at Chelsea last year, insists Anelka has never caused him any problems and he believes the ban is good news for the Premier League champions as it gives one of their star players extra time to rest.

“He never caused any problems for me. It is good news for myself because he can stay here to train during the international break, he can maintain a good condition,” Ancelotti added.

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

Ancelotti will need Anelka to remain at his best this season after missing out on Brazilian striker Neymar when the highly-rated 18-year-old decided to remain at Santos rather than move to Stamford Bridge.

The Blues had made a bid for the teenager but he signed a new contract with Santos this week.

“I knew this. He was a Santos player, he is a Santos player. He is a young player and everyone looks at him but this doesn’t mean he will be a Chelsea player,” Ancelotti said.

Ancelotti had already landed one Brazilian during the close-season after signing Ramires from Benfica but the midfielder has not been included in the squad for Saturday’s trip to Wigan.

The Blues had mixed fortunes against Wigan last season, losing 3-1 at the DW Stadium but then thrashing the Latics 8-0 to clinch the title on the last day of the season.

Ancelotti’s side got off to a fine start last weekend as they drubbed West Bromwich Albion 6-0 and the Italian knows it is essential to maintain that momentum.

“It is very important we make a good start, not just one game. Last year we won the first six games in the league and we want to do the same,” he said.

“I will be happy if we win 1-0. It is important to keep a clean sheet. Winning 6-0 or 7-0 every week is not football.

“It is important to win and to play well. We have to pay attention. The last game at Wigan we lost 3-1.

“We have to prepare well for this game and be right mentally. They caused us a lot of problems there last season, it was our first defeat, and we want to continue our good start to the season.

“They started the season badly and lost at home against Blackpool. They will want to be strong and have power tomorrow to produce a different game.”