Cissé setback for France
Tuesday, April 20, 2004
Article summary
France's Djibril Cissé will miss UEFA EURO 2004™ after his five-match ban was reduced by just one game.
Article body
Costly dismissal
The AJ Auxerre player appealed to the court after receiving the suspension for kicking an opponent and further incidents in an Under-21 international against Portugal in November, when he was sent off.
Ruled out
The 22-year-old Cissé, top scorer in Ligue 1 with 21 goals, was backed in his appeal by the French Football Federation as the ban effectively ruled him out of this summer's UEFA European Championship. However, he must now sit out four competitive matches, starting with France's first game at EURO 2004™.
'No difference'
France coach Jacques Santini said through spokesman Philippe Tournon: "Five or four games does not make any difference. It is very difficult to select a player who is under such a ban."
Official statement
A statement released by the CAS after Monday's hearing said: "The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has decided to reduce Cissé's suspension to four matches of UEFA competition."
