Fifa awaits official France complaint before banning Anelka

FIFA has insisted it will wait for a complaint

Anelka had been threatened with a suspension lasting until November 25 after refusing to turn up for France’s friendly against Yugoslavia tonight. But while Fifa maintains that it can punish Anelka, it requires a French Football Federation complaint.

“Article 40 of our rules is very clear on this,” Fifa spokesman Nicholas Maingot in Zurich said yesterday. If he has refused to play for France, Anelka cannot play for his club during the time he should be on international duty.