West Bromwich Albion striker Nicolas Anelka has received a five-match ban from the English Football Association in connection with a controversial gesture he made after scoring a goal against West Ham United in December.
Anelka was also fined £80,000 for the gesture.
The West Bromwich Albion player has also been ordered to complete a compulsory education course.
The Independent Regulatory Commission will provide written reasons for its decision in due course.
Mr Anelka has the right to appeal the decision. Mr Anelka must notify The FA of his intention to appeal within seven days of receipt of the written reasons.
For one ballgirl at the Australian open today, she got slightly too close to the action, or perhaps the action got too close to her, as a return from Florian Mayer off a David Ferrer serve struck her straight in the face.
Bar a quick reaction as she gets hit, she’s straight back to business afterwards, no messing. A quick thumbs up from Mayer, and all is right with the world again.
