Athletics: Bans for duo

French middle-distance runners Mehdi Baala and Mahiedine Mekhissi Benabbad have been handed 10-month bans.

French middle-distance runners Mehdi Baala and Mahiedine Mekhissi Benabbad have been handed 10-month international bans. The pair got involved in a scrap after finishing ninth and 11th respectively in the 1,500m at the Diamond League meeting in Monaco, a race won by Kenya's Silas Kiplagat. They were provisionally suspended by the French Athletics Federation (FFA), missing last week's French Championships in Albi, and had their appearance money from the Monaco meet withheld. The duo have now been banned from participating in all meetings outside of France for 10 months, five of which are suspended for a three-year probationary period. They were also each ordered to pay a 1,500 euro (£1,300) fine and complete 50 hours of community service.