Djibril Cisse, the most exciting French striker in Ligue 1, is almost certain to miss Euro 2004 after a five-match ban for a red card in an Under-21 international was confirmed by UEFA on Friday.
Cisse: Appeal inevitable (GaryMPrior/GettyImages)
The Auxerre star was sent off for delibertately kicking an opponent during the European Under-21 Championships qualifier with Portugal on November 18 in Clermont-Ferrand.
A statement on UEFA's website added: 'The player then did not leave the pitch immediately, protesting and insulting the referee as well as acting aggressively towards Portuguese players.'
French media had reported the punishment prior to its announcement, although Auxerre coach Guy Roux was confident an appeal would be successful. The French football federation has yet to comment.
The ban counts only for official matches, not friendlies, and therefore starts at Euro 2004. Cisse would only be available for the final if France got that far.
France coach Jacques Santini said he was stunned by the ban.
'No decision will be made until all the appeal possibilities have been worked out,' he said.
It is bad news for Santini, who has little direct cover for Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet if they are injured or lose form dramatically during the European Championships in Portugal.
Santini must be regretting his decision to allow Cisse to play for the Under-21 side in a playoff against Portugal, rather than accompany his national team to Germany for a friendly.
Everything went according to plan in the first leg of the play-off in Guimaraes with Cisse scoring the goals in a 2-1 French win. He also scored in the second leg but was sent off shortly before halftime for kicking an opponent.
Portugal won the tie on a penalty shoot-out.
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Heroes of the sea, noble race,
Valiant and immortal nation,
Now is the hour to raise up on high once more
Portugal's splendour.
From out of the mists of memory,
Oh Homeland, we hear the voices
Of your great forefathers
That shall lead you on to victory!
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