Philippe Mexes is trying to look on the bright side after the Court of Arbitration for Sport banned him for six weeks yesterday.

The CAS turned down the Roma defender's appeal against FIFA's original suspension, handed down in August for "unilateral breach of contract" with his previous club Auxerre.

"I've been expecting this decision for a long time now," said the 22-year-old. "The page has been turned at last."

Mexes got himself into trouble by signing for Roma while still on Auxerre's books, and the France international now seems to recognise his mistake.

"This punishment exists to stop other players doing what I did," he said. "I'm actually quite relieved because Auxerre were asking for the maximum penalty – four months!

"That's why I'm still smiling. Six weeks out isn't too bad, it's better than an injury.

"What's annoying, though, is that I was only just getting back to my best, and showing everyone what I can do."

FIFA will now rule on how much compensation Roma must pay Auxerre, with the Burgundy club apparently demanding £12.4m.

They are unlikely to receive that much, but yesterday Auxerre boss Guy Roux reiterated his anger at the player he helped rise to prominence.

"He deserted this club with utter disregard for the law," he said. "It's only right that the CAS confirmed his punishment."

Mexes is due to return to action against Udinese on April 3.
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