Story: Sports Desk

French football authorities have banned Ghana defender Alexander Djiku for one match for breaching betting regulations in the 2020/21 season.

This means he will miss Strasbourg’s first game against Paris Saint-Germain after the World Cup break on December 28.

The 28-year-old is among five Ligue 1 players who have received various punishments for their involvement in betting.

Auxerre goalkeeper Donovan Léon (bannedfor five games, three suspended), Irvin  Cardona of Brest (four matches, two suspended and a fine of €1,500), Montpellier’s Sacha Delaye (one match).

Cameroonian Jean-Charles Castelletto has been handed a four-match ban.

The body governing the major leagues in France, Ligue de Football Professionnel, said in a statement: “these offences are committed even though, together, the LFP and the UNFP (the players’ union) conduct awareness or information campaigns with clubs on a daily basis.

“The Commission recalls that the actors of competitions organised by the FFF or the LFP (including players, coaches, leaders of professional football clubs) are generally prohibited from betting, online or in physical networks, on all football competitions, whether national or foreign,” the statement added.