In early October, two players from the French Espoirs (Under-21) team, Wissam Ben Yedder and Yann M’Vila, were among five individuals sanctioned by the French Football Federation (FFF) following a nighttime excursion during a team gathering. The FFF handed down penalties to the players involved, and subsequently, Ben Yedder and M’Vila chose to appeal the decision. Their appeal hearings were scheduled for January 15, 2013.
Wissam Ben Yedder, a 22-year-old striker from Toulouse, with an impressive record of 17 matches and 9 goals in Ligue 1 that season, was suspended until January 2014 as a consequence of the FFF’s decision.
Yann M’Vila, also 22 years old and a midfielder for Rennes with 13 matches in Ligue 1 that season, was handed a suspension until July of the same year, meaning he would be eligible to return to the Espoirs team at that time.
In addition to Ben Yedder and M’Vila, three other players—Antoine Griezmann, Chris Mavinga, and M’baye Niang—were also sanctioned in connection with the same incident. However, these three players opted not to appeal the FFF’s decision, accepting the penalties imposed on them. The situation highlighted the disciplinary measures taken by football organizations to maintain discipline and professionalism among players, especially at the international level.
