French Guiana sanctioned over Malouda

MIAMI, United States (CMC):

French Guiana have been slapped with sanctions by continental governing body, CONCACAF, after they disregarded FIFA regulations and fielded former France international Florent Malouda in their second match of the Gold Cup on Tuesday.

FIFA holds that a player cannot represent two different countries in competitive internationals, a regulation minnows French Guiana were made aware of before the tournament when they included Malouda in their 23-man squad.

Regardless, the 37-year-old former Chelsea player, who was born in French Guiana - an overseas department of France - missed the side's opening 4-2 loss against Canada but suited up for the second game and helped earn a shock 0-0 result against Honduras in Houston.

Undisclosed fine

The matter was immediately referred to the Gold Cup disciplinary committee which ruled that Malouda had been ineligible, in keeping with FIFA's statutes.

As a result, French Guiana have been hit with an undisclosed fine by CONCACAF and will now also forfeit the result of the Honduras game, with the Central Americans declared 3-0 winners.

Malouda will serve a two-game suspension and stadium ban.

French Guiana faced Costa Rica in their final Group A preliminary match yesterday at Toyota Stadium in Frisco.