Anelka’s EPL future in balance after ban
Print Edition
Nicolas Anelka’s future in English football was in the balance on Thursday after he was given a five-match ban for making the controversial ‘quenelle’ salute which was widely condemned as anti-Semitic.
The Football Association cleared Anelka of being an anti-Semite and was convinced that he was not promoting anti-Semitism by his use of the gesture.
However, he was nevertheless guilty of an “aggravated breach” of FA rules for making the ‘quenelle’ while playing for West Bromwich Albion in an English Premier League match away to West Ham on December 28.
As a result, the 34-year-old striker was banned and fined 80,000 pounds (US$133,368).
Anelka was also ordered to complete a “compulsory education course” although he does have the right of appeal.
Anelka’s lawyer, Brown Rudnick, responded by saying: “Nicolas Anelka is pleased that the FA regulatory commission has found him not to be an anti-Semite and that he did not intend to express or promote anti-Semitism by his use of the quenelle gesture. He is now awaiting the commission’s full reasons for their decision before considering whether or not to appeal.”
West Brom, which last month saw main sponsor Zoopla announce it would not be renewing a 3-million pound deal that expires at the end of the season, said it would suspend Anelka “pending the conclusion of the FA’s disciplinary process and the club’s own internal investigation”.
Former France striker Anelka made the ‘quenelle’ after scoring the first of his two goals in a 3-3 draw at Upton Park.
The quenelle, described as an inverted Nazi salute, has been popularized by French comedian Dieudonne M’bala M’bala, a friend of Anelka’s and who has been prosecuted in France for various racial offenses.
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