Bendtner suspended for six months

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP)

The Danish football federation has suspended Juventus striker Nicklas Bendtner from national team duty for six months because of a drunk-driving incident.

Bendtner was pulled over by police in central Copenhagen early Sunday and was fined for being over the alcohol limit.

The forward, who has been injured since December, said in a statement to Danish media that he regretted his behavior and respected the federation's decision. However, he said being banned from the national team was ''the worst thing that can happen to a football player.''

The federation, DBU, said it has told Bendtner ''to use the coming six months to consider his future as a national team player." They also said the DBU "respects any player's right to privacy but also has some rules and expectations regarding the public profile of each player."

The suspension means Bendtner will miss key World Cup qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Bulgaria this month and against Armenia in June.