Tamgho, who was suspended from the elite French INSEP training centre for a year in 2008 following a disciplinary breach, was also given a three-year probationary period and ordered to pay a €1500 fine (£1,249/$1,957) as well as undertaking 50 hours of community service.

The world and European indoor champion, who has jumped 17.92 metres indoors and 17.98, the third best ever, outdoors, appeared before the FFA disciplinary committee after an amateur athlete and two others filed a complaint that he had assaulted them during a training session in the Var department on France's south-east coast.

The world indoor record holder was there to work on his recovery from the ankle injury which had prevented him taking part in the World Championships in Daegu.

He announced last month that he would prepare for the Olympics in Florida, alongside his Cuban coach Ivan Pedroso, the former Olympic long jump champion.

"I made a regrettable mistake," said Tamgho before the FFA's decision.

"I'll make sure it doesn't happen again.

"Whatever the decision is, I will respect it and I'll accept the punishment."

FFA spokesperson Adrian Verdugo said that "the facts were proven" and Tamgho "partially accepted" them.

The FFA Disciplinary Committee said the incident had "tarnished the image of the federation" and that Tamgho had displayed "a lack of self-control" by reacting with "a disproportionate response."

It is the second major disciplinary problem within the French camp following what the FFA described as the "unspeakable behaviour" of Mehdi Baala and Mekhissi Bennabad when they brawled on the track after the 1500m at the Samsung Diamond League meeting in Monaco in July.

Both athletes lost their appearance money and were suspended.

The ban announced by the FFA for Tamgho is severe, but it could have been worse – there was speculation that the 22-year-old might be forced to miss the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Having missed most of last season with a stress fracture of his ankle, Tamgho had already decided to skip the indoor season, and will be free to resume competition from May 18.

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