EX-UNITED goalkeeper Fabien Barthez has been given a three-month ban for spitting at a Moroccan referee when Olympique Marseille played a friendly match in Casablanca in February.
Jean Mazzella Chairman of the French federation disciplinary committee said: "He didn't spit in his face but he certainly did spit at the official."
Barthez, 33, faces an additional three-month ban for any further offences.
Mazzella said he could have been punished with a six-month ban.
That would have prevented him from starting the 2005-2006 season with Marseille in August and could have led to Barthez bringing forward his retirement date.
The former Manchester United goalkeeper, who won the European Cup with Marseille in 1993, has already said he will retire after the 2006 World Cup.
An ill-tempered friendly between Marseille and Wydad Casablanca was abandoned after Barthez ran off the bench to confront international referee Abdellah El Achiri.
Video replays clearly show Barthez raising his arms toward the referee - although no physical contact was made - and then spitting on him.
Barthez has won 73 caps since his debut against Australia in May 1994, making him the longest serving French goalkeeper.
He became first choice for the 1998 World Cup, which France won by beating Brazil 3-0 in the final, and was also a member of the side that won Euro 2000.
22/04/2005, 1:07 PM
thejollyrodger
no surprises really. He is a bit rash, just ask andy o brien:P
22/04/2005, 5:30 PM
Gerrit
And a bit overrated. He has the talent to be the world's nr 1 goalkeeper and no doubt he has the charisma to be an icon/idol in the soccer world. But he sometimes takes unnecessary risks that lead to ridiculous goals...
In France there's a few goalies that in my opinion should get their chance in the national team. There's Gregory Coupet (Lyon) who is definitely a world class goalkeeper and one of the best in Europe, very sober yet reliable. Mickael Landreau from Nantes was already first choice at his club at the age of 16 and became captain at a very young age, he has much experience despite only being 24 or 25 and has only improved further since he first made a great impression with Nantes.
Apart from that, I just got an idea for a new topic...
