France's Cisse to miss Euro 2004
PARIS, France (Reuters) -- France striker Djibril Cisse's appeal against a five-match ban has been rejected by UEFA, effectively ruling him out of the European championship finals in Portugal later this year.
The Auxerre forward, the leading scorer in Ligue 1 with 15 goals, was suspended for kicking an opponent in an under-21 international against Portugal in November.
"I still think the decision is disproportionate considering the match's context," French coach Jacques Santini said in a statement.
UEFA suspensions count only for official matches, not friendlies, and will therefore come into effect at the start of Euro 2004, meaning Cisse would only be available for the final if France progressed that far.
The French and the Portuguese federations were each fined 6,400 euros ($7,940) for the behavior of their players and the Portuguese were ordered to pay for the damage caused to their dressing room in Clermont-Ferrand on November 18.
France's fine was cut to 4,500 euros by the UEFA on Friday.
"I feel valid arguments were put to the appeal commission by the player and the FFF (French Football Federation)," Santini added. "But for the time being, we'll just have to accept it."
France team spokesman Philippe Tournon said Santini had not yet spoken to Cisse.
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