Pizarro handed international ban

Claudio Pizarro is one of four Peru players given an 18-month suspension from the national team.

Peruvian quartet sanctioned for hosting a party

Claudio Pizarro is one of four Peru players to have been given an 18-month suspension from the national team. The Chelsea striker broke a curfew by helping to organize a party following a 1-1 draw with Brazil in a World Cup qualifier back in November. Along with PSV Eindhoven's Jefferson Farfan, Almeria defender Santiago Acasiete and Steaua Bucharest forward Andres Mendoza, Pizarro has also been handed a £10,000 fine. The Peruvian FA justice committee has ruled that the quartet's ban should start from the time of the offence, meaning that they will able to represent their country once more from May 2009. Currently sitting second from bottom in the South American World Cup qualifying group, Peru look unlikely to reach the finals in South Africa now that they will be forced to cope without four of their most established stars.