FA insist Anelka must serve ban

The Football Association have said they will try to ensure Nicolas Anelka serves his five-match ban for making the quenelle salute, as the French striker gets set to sign for Indian Super League side Mumbai City.

The 35-year-old was fined £80,000, though hasn’t yet fulfilled the five-game ban having not played a game since being sacked by West Bromich Albion.

Anelka announced on Monday he had signed for Mumbai, but they first have to gain international clearance from the FA before he can officially become a Mumbai player.

An FA spokesman confirmed once they gain the request from Mumbai, they will then “request that Anelka serves his five-match ban.” They will though not insist he completes the educational course, which was part of his punishment.

The FA had written to FIFA asking the ban to be imposed worldwide after he left Albion in March. Article 12 of FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players explains, “Any disciplinary suspension imposed on a player prior to a transfer must be enforced or applied by the new association at which the player is registered. The former association is obliged to notify the new association of any sanction in writing and upon issuing the international transfer clearance (ITC).”

Should the ban be imposed, Anelka would miss a third of Mumbai’s 14 games.