Evra appeals five-match ban

Paris - Defender Patrice Evra has appeared before the French federation's appeals commission in a bid to overturn his five-match ban from the national team.

Evra was suspended for his role in the French players' training strike at the World Cup, where France was eliminated in the first round without winning a match.

The players boycotted a training session to protest the decision to send Nicolas Anelka back home following the Chelsea striker's altercation with coach Raymond Domenech.

Evra, who was France captain at the tournament, was also seen arguing with fitness coach Robert Duverne during the strike.

A decision on the Manchester United player's appeal is expected later on Thursday.