celebration for West
Bromwich Albion in
Saturday's 3-3 draw at West Ham will be investigated
by the English Football Association.
The 34-year-old striker was alleged to have
performed a gesture recognised as laquenelle in
France, regarded by some as a reverse Nazi salute
and linked to anti-Semetism, after scoring the first of
his two goals.
Despite Anelka clarifying on Twitter that the
celebration "was just a special dedication to my
comedian friend Dieudonne", an FA spokesperson
confirmed the governing body will look into whether
the striker has a case to answer.
Dieudonne - real name M'Bala M'Bala - is French
comedian who has popularised usage of the gesture in
his acts and on the internet. He is a highly
controversial figure due to his extreme views, but he
has insisted that his trademark salute is not
performed to insult Jewish people.
The incident has provoked a furious reaction in
France with minister for sport Valerie Fourneyron
tweeting: "Anelka's gesture is a shocking provocation,
disgusting. There's no place for antisemitism and
incitement to hatred on the football field."
WBA boss Keith Downing insisted the significance of
Anelka's actions was being blown far out of
proportion.
"I'm aware of it but it has got nothing to do what is
being said," he told reporters after the match. "It is
dedicated to a French comedian he knows very, very
well. He uses it in his act and I think speculation can
be stopped now, it is absolute rubbish really.
"He [Anelka] is totally unaware of what the problems
were or the speculation that has been thrown around,
he is totally surprised by it."
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