The French Football Federation have suspended striker Nicolas Anelka for 18 matches and captain Patrice Evra for five.

The Chelsea forward was the catalyst for a strike among France players during the World Cup finals when he confronted Les Bleus coach Raymond Domenech at half-time of the 2-0 loss to Mexico.

Anelka, 31, was sent home by the FFF but players reacted by refusing to take part in training. Evra, the France captain, had to be separated from fitness coach Robert Duverne. Barcelona's Eric Abidal also refused to play in the final group game, against hosts South Africa.

Evra, Anelka and Abidal were among France players due to appear in front of FFF directors in Paris on Tuesday.

Anelka, who has said he has retired from international football, was given the harshest punishment.

Evra will not be considered for the next five matches, Abidal the next three and Jeremy Toulalan will miss the next match.

Laurent Blanc, who replaced Domenech as France coach after the tournament, did not pick a single player from the finals squad for his first game - a 2-1 friendly loss to Norway in Oslo last week.