Federation to hear Evra appeal tomorrow

Patrice Evra’s appeal against his five-match ban from the France national team will be heard by the French Football Federation tomorrow.

The Manchester United left-back captained the team through their dismal World Cup campaign this summer and was sanctioned for his part in the events which saw the team refuse to train on June 20, two days before their final Group A game against host nation South Africa.

The squad returned to their team bus at their Knysna training base in protest at the exclusion from the tournament of Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka, and Evra was seen arguing with fitness coach Robert Duverne moments earlier.

He will face the FFF’s superior appeal commission, accompanied by his lawyer, at a hearing which begins at 10am (9am Irish Time) tomorrow.

“Mr Patrice Evra decided to appeal as no grievance may be applied individually, the responsibility for the events clearly being collective,” said his representative Jean-Yves Foucard.

As it stands, Evra’s original ban rules him out until February’s friendly against Brazil.