France captain Diarra suspended minimum of three weeks

• AP, Thursday, October 21, 2010 8:34 PM

France captain Alou Diarra has been suspended for a minimum of three weeks by the French league (LPF) for shoving a referee in the chest  during a match with Bordeaux, which he also captains. The LPF will meet Nov. 10 whether to extend the suspension.

Diarra was shown a yellow card by referee Wilfried Bien during Saturday’s 1-0 win at Auxerre and responded by pushing Bien, who sent him off. As he left the field, Diarra turned and walked over to Bien and apologized.

The suspension will mean that Diarra, who has captained the Bleus in three straight wins, will probably sit out the Nov. 17 friendly against England.

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