FFF want longer ban

The disciplinary committee of the FFF earlier on Friday handed the France international a six-month ban, three of them suspended.

The FFF later said in statement that it had decided to appeal because its federal council disagreed with the sanction decided by the ruling body's disciplinary committee.

Under FFF rules, the offence committed by Barthez should be punished by a firm ban of at least six months, the statement said.

The goalkeeper was reported for spitting at Moroccan referee Abdellah El Achiri during a friendly between Wydad Casablanca and Marseille in February.

According to the FFF's rules, Barthez could have been banned for up to a year.

The 33-year-old, a member of the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000-winning squads, told France Info radio on Friday that he intended to carry on training during his suspension.

"I knew I'd be sanctioned," said Barthez. "I'll prepare for the next season with Olympique Marseille and get ready for the national team because my goal is to play in the (2006) World Cup."

Providing the sanction stands, Barthez will miss five games, the last four matches of the Ligue 1 season and France's next friendly against Hungary on May 31.

He should however be able to play for Marseille at Nantes on Saturday, the sanction taking effect on Monday.

If the appeal is rejected, Barthez will also be available for France's friendly against Argentina in Paris on August 17 and their World Cup qualifiers against Faroe Islands on September 3, Ireland on September 7, Switzerland on October 8 and Cyprus on October 12.

During the February friendly, a brawl erupted on the pitch after Marseille defender Frederic Dehu was sent off and the match was abandoned with 10 minutes left.

Barthez, who had been substituted, got off the bench and confronted the referee.

Dehu, like Barthez, appeared before the FFF's disciplinary committee on Thursday and was cleared of all charges on Friday.

French sports minister Jean-Francois Lamour said he was surprised at the leniency of Barthez's ban.

"I'm surprised because I think that respect for the referee is of paramount importance," he said.

Bernard Saules, president of the National Union of French Referees (UNAF), said he was "very angry".

"These people have got a real nerve," he said. "It's simply ridiculous.

"They could as well have suspended him for a week plus five years, suspended of course."

Marseille have 10 days to appeal. Sources close to the club said they would probably not.

Barthez has won 75 caps since his debut against Australia in May 1994.

He announced last month that he had decided to retire at the end of next season after becoming increasingly disillusioned with football.