Crossword Genius

English team was first to be banished (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

exiled

'be banished' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'english team was first' is the wordplay.
'english' becomes 'e' (abbreviation).
'team' becomes 'xi' (eleven, a football team).
'was first' becomes 'led'.
'e'+'xi'+'led'='EXILED'

'to' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for exiled that I've seen before include "Forced to live in another country" , "Sent away" , "Sent to live abroad" , "Expelled from one's country" , "Cast out" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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