Athletes banned over fight

MEHDI Baala and Mahiedine Mekhissi Benabbad have been provisionally suspended by the French Athletics Federation after the pair came to blows at the Diamond League meeting in Monaco on Friday night.

After the duo had finished down the field in the 1,500 metres, Baala appeared to headbutt fellow Frenchman Mekhissi Benabbad, sparking a fight which was only halted by the intervention of officials. Both men have been called to explain their actions before an FFA disciplinary committee, due to be convened in the next week.

"Following the unspeakable behaviour of Mehdi Baala and Mahiedine Mekhissi Benabbad, Bernard Amsalem, president of the FFA, decided today to call an emergency disciplinary commission of the Federation in order to shed light on this incident and take appropriate action," the FFA said in a statement. "The federal office, in accordance with the bylaws, has decided to provisionally suspend the two athletes."

Baala yesterday apologised for his part in the spat. "There was a misunderstanding," he said. "I went to comfort him after the race as he looked to be in trouble. But he said: 'If I don't say hello, I have my reasons' and put his forehead against mine. I want to apologise to everyone as we are athletes and should lead by example. But sometimes there are reactions which are out of character."

The FFA's involvement may not be the end of the matter for Baala and Mekhissi Benabbad, with the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) waiting on an official report from the Monaco meeting organisers before deciding if they will open their own investigation.

An IAAF statement read: "The meeting organisers send an official report of the incident to their National Federation. The report would also be sent to the IAAF General Secretary. After the report is studied, should it be found there is a case to answer a full investigation would be held, and if the case is proven the National Federation and/or the IAAF have the power to sanction the athlete or athletes involved."

The incident has already hit the two athletes in the pocket, with Jean-Pierre Schoebel, the director of the Monaco meeting, confirming they would lose any money they made from appearing at the event.