Tony Parker apologises for giving controversial 'quenelle' salute | Sport | The Guardian Tony Parker apologises for giving controversial 'quenelle' salute • NBA star pictured with French comic Dieudonné • Simon Wiesenthal Center wants further statement Tony Parker pictured with the French comedian Dieudonné. Photograph: Twitter Monday 30 December 2013 15.11 EST Last modified on Friday 11 November 2016 09.41 EST Close This article is 3 years old The San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker has apologised after being photographed giving a salute considered to be antisemitic. In his apology, he said the photograph had been taken three years ago, and added that he had not known at the time that the gesture could be “in any way offensive or harmful”. The French NBA star was pictured giving the “quenelle”, which has been described as a “reverse Nazi salute”, with its originator, the French comedian Dieudonné M'bala M'bala. Dieudonné, a controversial figure whose film The Anti-Semite was banned from the 2012 Cannes festival, maintains that it is intended as an anti-establishment gesture.

French authorities are currently considering banning performances by Dieudonné . French soccer star Nicolas Anelka, a friend of Dieudonné, provoked a furious reaction in France after he used the quenelle gesture in a Premier League match on Saturday. On Monday, a Jewish human rights organisation, the Simon Wiesenthal Center , included Parker's gesture in its list of the Top Ten Anti-Semitic/Anti-Israel Slurs of 2013, and issued a statement calling for an apology. Parker subsequently released a statement which said : “While this gesture has been part of French culture for many years, it was not until recently that I learned of the very negative concerns associated with it. When l was photographed making that gesture three years ago, I thought it was part of a comedy act and did not know that it could be in any way offensive or harmful. Since I have been made aware of the seriousness of this gesture, I will certainly never repeat the gesture and sincerely apologize for any misunderstanding or harm relating to my actions.

Hopefully this incident will serve to educate others that we need to be more aware that things that may seem innocuous can actually have a history of hate and hurt.” Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, responded: “The Simon Wiesenthal Center takes Mr Parker at his word. There is, however, one more crucial step that he needs to take: a statement in French to reassure 600,000 French Jews and the multitude of his young fans in France that he disassociates himself from the quenelle salute and everything it stands for.” Tony Parker in action against LeBron James of the Miami Heat, in Game Two of the 2013 NBA Finals. Photograph: Brendan SmialowskiAFP/Getty Images Anelka made the salute after scoring a goal during a 3-3 draw between West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United on Saturday. The striker, who faces a five-game ban on anti-discriminatory grounds , said he had performed the salute in tribute to Dieudonné. However, on Monday, Anelka said he would not make the salute again, and used Twitter to say: “(The) meaning of quenelle: anti-system.

I do not know what the word 'religion' has to do with this story! This is a dedication to Dieudonné.” Anelka's salute prompted condemnation across French society. The minister for sport, Valérie Fourneyron, called it “shocking and sickening”. On Twitter, Anelka continued: “With regard to the ministers who give their own interpretations of my quenelle, they are the ones that create confusion and controversy without knowing what it really means, this gesture.” Two other Premier League footballers, the Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri and the Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho, have been photographed performing the quenelle.

Dieudonné M'Bala M'Bala vows to contest ban after interior minister Manuel Valls urges regional officials to block show Published: 6 Jan 2014 Nicolas Anelka has agreed not to perform his controversial quenelle goal celebration again, according to a statement released by his club, West Bromwich Published: 30 Dec 2013 Anelka 'Nazi' salute storm - striker could face lengthy FA ban for offensive goal celebration | Daily Mail Online It was invented by controversial French comedian Dieudonne M’bala M’bala and was condemned recently by France’s Interior Minister Manuel Valls as anti-Jewish. Valls said he would ‘do anything to prevent Dieudonne from campaigning for anti-Semitism and racism’. Dieudonne is a friend of Anelka’s and the two men have been pictured making the gesture together. The comedian has been derided for his far-right views and prosecuted for making anti-Semitic comments.

Friends: West Brom acting head coach Keith Downing says that the gesture was a dedication from Anelka (right) to his French comedian friend Dieudonne (left), which Anelka reiterated on Twitter Doubling up: Anelka (left) is on the spot to score West Brom's second goal of the afternoon France’s sports minister, Valerie Fourneyron, last night described Anelka’s use of the gesture as ‘provocative, shocking and disgusting’. She added: ‘Anti-Semitism and incitement to hatred have no place on a football field.’ Anelka, 34 and born in Paris, converted to Islam in 2004. He did not comment on the uproar over his gesture in the immediate aftermath of Saturday’s game but Keith Downing, Albion’s caretaker-manager, said his striker was merely showing support for a friend. ‘He [Anelka] dedicated it to a French comedian that he knows very well. It’s a gesture the comic uses in his act,’ said Downing.

Anelka took to Twitter later to confirm: ‘This gesture was just a special dedication to my comedian friend, Dieudonne.’ Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere recently received a two-match ban from the FA for making an offensive gesture towards Manchester City fans after his side’s 6-3 defeat. Wilshere’s gesture had absolutely no racial nor political overtones so any punishment meted out to Anelka by football’s rulers could be far more severe. Dieudonne has been convicted six times in France for alleged anti-Semitic remarks. He was fined £6,000 in 2008 for describing Holocaust remembrance as ‘memorial pornography’. Controversial: French humorist Dieudonne arriving for a trial at the Paris courthouse on December 13 France’s Interior Ministry have said they are considering a ban on Dieudonné’s performances because he regularly uses them to attack the memory of Holocaust victims. Anelka could face punishment in France if his actions can be shown to be offensive, insulting, abusive or political. Almost all English Premier League games are shown live in France, where Anelka is a household name.

Philippe Auclair, a respected London-based French football writer, said last night of Anelka’s goal celebration: ‘To use it at the moment is cretinous at best.’ Political protest: A man poses with a drawing showing a Jew character covering the mouth of an other character with a gag reading 'freedom of speech' during a protest in support of Dieudonne Defiant: A group performs the 'quenelle' salutes in front of the theatre Dieudonne's performing at WHAT IS 'LA QUENELLE'? When West Brom striker Nicolas Anelka scored the first of his two goals in Saturday's 3-3 Premier League draw at West Ham, he celebrated by making a gesture largely unfamiliar to fans of English football. But the salute, known in France as 'la quenelle', is the subject of a fierce national debate that has reached the French interior ministry and stands accused of sparking a spate of attacks across Anelka's homeland.

Here, we explore the origins of the controversial gesture and the motives of its self-proclaimed inventor, the stand-up comedian and political activist Dieudonne M'Bala M'Bala: 'Quenelle' means 'scoop' or 'dumpling' and is performed by holding one arm straight by one's side while touching that arm's shoulder with the opposite hand. It has been described by its critics as a 'Nazi salute in reverse' and, thusly, as an expression of anti-Semitism. Forty-seven-year-old M'Bala M'Bala, who goes by the stage name of Dieudonne, has turned the 'quenelle' into something of a viral trend since first performing it four years ago. Once a committed anti-racism campaigner, Dieudonne has since been linked to the political far right in France. French interior minister Manuel Valls is considering banning all public performances by the comedian. In the wake of Anelka's public use of the gesture, which the player stated was simply a 'special dedication' to his good friend Dieudonne, French minister for sport Valerie Fourneyron described his actions as 'shocking' and 'disgusting'.

Anelka has previously been photographed performing the gesture alongside Dieudonne but Saturday's events brought the debate to England while provoking further outrage and debate in France, where the match was televised. Dieudonne, who has past convictions for making anti-Semitic remarks, insists the 'quenelle' is merely 'an anti-establishment gesture' but his critics are concerned about its motivation. When Dieudonne insulted Jewish radio presenter Patrick Cohen this week, French interior minister Manuel Valls vowed to use any legal means necessary to ban any future public appearances by the comedian. Valls told newspaper Le Parisien: 'Dieudonne has been repeatedly condemned for defamation, insult and incitement to racial hatred. He is a repeat offender and I intend to act with the greatest firmness, under the law.' The English Football Association is considering opening an investigation into the possible connotations of the salute. FIFA rules state: '1. a) Anyone who offends the dignity of a person or group of persons through contemptuous, discriminatory or denigratory words or actions concerning race, colour, language, religion or origin shall be suspended for at least five matches.

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Ballack returns to old stomping ground Ballack spent four seasons at Chelsea after joining the club from Bayern Munich in 2006 If the football's on, it's on Nicolas Anelka denies his 'quenelle' gesture was anti-semitic or racist - Telegraph West Bromwich Albion Nicolas Anelka denies his 'quenelle' gesture was anti-semitic or racist West Bromwich Albion striker hits back on Twitter against suggestions his gesture during match with West Ham United was racially offensive No stranger to trouble: Nicolas Anelka will be investigated for using the 'reverse Nazi salute', allegedly to support his friend the controversial comendian Dieudonné Photo: GETTY IMAGES By Matt Law, and John Percy 4:57PM GMT 29 Dec 2013 Nicolas Anelka has denied there was any anti-semitic intent behind the “quenelle” gesture which is being investigated by the Football Association. Anelka was condemned as racist by the French Sports Minister for the goal celebration he performed during West Bromwich Albion’s draw at West Ham United on Saturday and the FA will consult leading Jewish groups before deciding what action to take against the striker.

If they deem it to have ben racially offensive, as is being claimed by the French government, he will incur a lengthy suspension. But in a series of messages issued on Twitter on Sunday afternoon, Anelka insisted the gesture was merely a tribute to his friend, French comedian Dieudonné M’bala, and that the gesture had been misinterpreted. Dieudonné, who invented the quenelle (which literally means dumpling), is a hugely controversial figure in France, where he has been convicted six times of defamation, causing offence and inciting racial hatred, and has been fined a total of £53,400. Anelka said: “ (The) meaning of quenelle: anti-system. I do not know what the word ‘religion’ has to do with this story! This is a dedication to Dieudonné. With regard to the ministers who give their own interpretations of my quenelle, they are the ones that create confusion and controversy without knowing what it really means, this gesture. Related Articles West Ham v WBA: as it happened 28 Dec 2013 I ask people not to be duped by the media.

And of course, I am neither racist nor anti-Semitic and I fully assume (stand by) my gesture.” Dieudonné has claimed he is anti-Zionist and anti-establishment, but not anti-semitic. An appeals court upheld his most recent conviction last month, imposing a fine of £23,000 after complaints over a song performed in one of his videos about “Shoah nanas” or “Holocaust chicks”. The FA’s investigation, which began within hours of the incident, will include asking Anelka for his observations, and video evidence will be examined. The FA recognise there is a huge cultural complexity to the case and will work closely with Jewish groups, the Community Security Trust and Maccabi GB, and anti-discriminatory group Kick It Out. The CST and Maccabi are both members of the Jewish Leadership Council and worked with the FA over the latest campaign to try to eradicate the word ‘Yid’ from football chants. Anelka has already been condemned by the European Jewish Congress, who want him to face the same punishment that would be handed down for a Nazi salute.

“It is sickening that such a well-known footballer would make such an abusive and hateful gesture in front of tens of thousands of spectators,” said European Jewish Congress president Dr Moshe Kantor. “There should be no room for such intolerance and racism in sports and we expect that the English Premier League officials as well as the police will give Anelka the appropriate punishment. “We know that English football officials have a very low tolerance for racism at football matches and we hope that all concerned will abhor and show zero-tolerance for this hateful Nazi salute. “Furthermore, we hope that this gesture is banned in all places of Europe where Nazi salutes are banned. Merely inverting the traditional Nazi salute should not allow anti-Semites to spread and display their hate with impunity.” The FA also plan to talk to French and European partners over the matter, which could include the French Football Association and FARE (Football Against Racism in Europe). French Sports Minister Valerie Fourneyron immediately condemned Anelka for performing the “disgusting” gesture, while his predecessor Chantal Jouanno has demanded the 34-year-old is punished. “The ‘quenelle’ is a Nazi gesture that is clearly anti-Semitic,” said Jouanno.

“There is no point prevaricating over how it should be interpreted. Anelka deserves to be sanctioned.” Croatian defender Josip Simunic will miss the World Cup after being given a 10-game ban by Fifa after leading fans in a chant with pro-Nazi connotations. The FA’s investigation is expected to take some time. In March, it was announced that any player found guilty of discriminating against an opponent will be suspended for a minimum of five games. It was deemed that charges will be brought in the event of discrimination of the field of play relating to ethnic origin, colour, race, religion or belief, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, ability and disability. Dieudonné is at the centre of a row in France following an announcement by Manuel Valls, the Interior Minister, that he was considering whether his public appearances could be banned. He performed his one-man show to a packed theatre in Paris on Saturday night. About 200 of his supporters gathered outside in a demonstration of support for the comedian.

Dieudonné, 47, has repeatedly been accused of making offensive anti-Semitic jokes in his performances and the quenelle has been blamed for provoking attacks earlier this month by young Jewish men on a Muslim man and a hotel. There was disgust in France in September when a video emerged of two French soldiers were doing the quenelle outside a synagogue whilst on anti-terrorism patrol. Valls said he was considering banning Dieudonné’s performances after he targeted Patrick Cohen, a Jewish radio journalist who had criticised him. The mayors of Marseille and Perpignan, in the south of France, have launched legal action to prevent him for performing. The president of the French league against racism and anti-semitism, Alain Jakuowicz said the quenelle signifies the “sodomisation of victims of the Holocaust”, a comment which prompted Dieudonné to launch a legal action against him.

Nicolas Anelka 'quenelle' gesture: West Brom striker given five-match ban and fined £80,000 for 'reverse Nazi salute' | The Independent Nicolas Anelka 'quenelle' gesture: West Brom striker given five-match ban and fined £80,000 for 'reverse Nazi salute' The Frenchman is able to appeal against the decision Thursday 27 February 2014 17:14 BST Click to follow The Independent Football Nicolas Anelka appears to make the 'quenelle' gesture after scoring the first goal for West Brom in the 3-3 draw against West Ham GETTY IMAGES Nicolas Anelka has been given a five-match ban and fined £80,000 for the 'quenelle' gesture he performed after scoring for West Brom against West Ham at the end of last year. The action caused much debate, with uncertainty over whether the gesture was in fact offensive. Some have called it a 'reverse Nazi salute' with anti-semitic connotations, while Anelka has said it was purely performed to show solidarity with his friend and French comedian Dieudonne M’bala M’bala who brought the gesture to prominence.

Anelka was charged with two offenses: "In or around the 40th minute of the match he made a gesture (known as the ‘quenelle’) which was abusive and/or indecent and/or insulting and/or improper, contrary to FA Rule E3(1)" and "That the misconduct was an "Aggravated Breach" as defined by FA Rule E3(2) in that it included a reference to ethnic origin and/or race and/or religion or belief." Anelka denied both charges but the Independent Regulatory Commission, which heard from the player, two expert witnesses and submissions from Leading Counsel for The FA, found him guilty of both offenses. West Brom: The latest match pictures West Brom: The latest match pictures 1/69 West Brom 4 Burnley 0 Inspired by Graham Dorrans and Saido Berahino, the Baggies achieved their biggest Premier League home win. Getty 2/69 West Brom 4 Burnley 0 It proved to be a tough afternoon for the Premier League new boys as West Brom ran riot.

Getty 3/69 West Brom 4 Burnley 0 Burnley were looking for players like George Boyd to fill the void left by Danny Ings and Sam Vokes - who are injured.

Getty 4/69 West Brom 4 Burnley 0 Both Alan Irvine and Sean Dyche have endured challenging starts to their first seasons managing in the Premier League Getty Images 5/69 Swansea City 3 West Brom 0 Nathan Dyer celebrates after his second minute goal makes it two goals in two matches for the little winger Getty Images 6/69 Swansea City 3 West Brom 0 Wayne Routledge doubled the lead with an absolutely sensational volley from outside of the box 7/69 Swansea City 3 West Brom 0 Routledge celebrates his stunning goal with Wilfried Bony Getty Images 8/69 Swansea City 3 West Brom 0 West Brom keeper Ben Foster makes a fingertips save to keep the score at 3-0 Getty Images 9/69 Swansea City 3 West Brom 0 £10m signing Brown Ideye was largely ineffective for Alan Irvine as West Brom's main man Getty Images 10/69 Swansea City 3 West Brom 0 Garry Monk celebrated making it nine points from a possible nine for Swansea City this season Getty Images 11/69 West Brom 1 Stoke 2 Marko Arnautovic crosses the ball for an own goal by Gareth McAule

y to give Stoke the lead GETTY IMAGES 12/69 Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 The Arsenal players line-up before the match GETTY IMAGES 13/69 Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 West Brom manager Pepe Mel looks on from the sidelines GETTY IMAGES 14/69 Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 Mesut Ozil escapes the attention of James Morrison 15/69 Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 Olivier Giroud heads Arsenal into a 14th minute lead 16/69 Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 Mikel Arteta turns away from Diego Lugano 17/69 Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 Mathieu Flamini unleashes a shot on goal 18/69 Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 Santi Cazorla brings the ball under control 19/69 Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 Arsene Wenger waves to the Arsenal crowd after the final whistle 20/69 West Brom 1 West Ham 0 Saido Berahino wheels away after firing home the Baggies' opener GETTY IMAGES 21/69 West Brom 3 Tottenham 3 Tottenham Hotspur's Danish midfielder

 Christian Eriksen (R) celebrates after scoring his team's third goal 22/69 West Brom 3 Tottenham 3 Harry Kane of Spurs is congratulated by teammates after scoring his team's second goal 23/69 West Brom 3 Tottenham 3 Stephane Sessegnon celebrates scoring the third goal 24/69 West Brom 3 Tottenham 3 Emmanuel Adebayor of Spurs misses a with a penalty attempt 25/69 West Brom 3 Tottenham 3 Chris Brunt of West Bromwich celebrates after scoring his team's second goal 26/69 West Brom 3 Tottenham 3 West Bromwich Albion's Czech forward Matej Vydra celebrates after scoring the opening goal Getty Images 27/69 Norwich 0 West Brom 1 Pepe Mel is all smiles as he celebrates with his players after the Baggies vital away victory GETTY IMAGES 28/69 Norwich 0 West Brom 1 Saido Berahino and Joseph Yobo race to win the ball GETTY IMAGES 29/69 Norwich 0 West Brom 1 Stephane Sessegnon holds off pressure from Sebastien Bassong and Alexander Tettey GETTY IMAGES

 30/69 Norwich 0 West Brom 1 Youssuf Mulumbu jumps with Jonathan Howson for the ball GETTY IMAGES 31/69 Norwich 0 West Brom 1 Robert Snodgrass keeps the ball under pressure from Liam Ridgewell GETTY IMAGES 32/69 Norwich 0 West Brom 1 Morgan Amalfitano scores for the Baggies GETTY IMAGES 33/69 West Brom 3 Cardiff 3 Mats Moller Daehli saves a point for Cardiff in the last minute GETTY IMAGES 34/69 West Brom 3 Cardiff 3 Thievy Bifouma Koulossa puts the Baggies ahead late on GETTY IMAGES 35/69 West Brom 2 Cardiff 2 Steven Caulker celebrates in front of the away fans after he equalises for Cardiff GETTY IMAGES 36/69 West Brom 2 Cardiff 2 Graham Dorrans celebrates after scoring the Baggies' second GETTY IMAGES 37/69 West Brom 2 Cardiff 2 David Marshall can only look on as Morgan Amalfitano scores with a superb lob from 30 yards out GETTY IMAGES 38/

69 Hull 2 West Brom 0 Shane Long taps home Hull's second GETTY IMAGES 39/69 Hull 2 West Brom 0 David Meyler and Steven Reid go in for a tackle GETTY IMAGES 40/69 Hull 2 West Brom 0 Liam Rosenior puts Hull ahead GETTY IMAGES 41/69 Swansea 1 West Brom 2 Jonathan de Guzman takes a freekick GETTY IMAGES 42/69 Swansea 1 West Brom 2 Youssouf Mulumbu celebrates his goal with Zoltan Gera and Thievy Bifouma GETTY IMAGES 43/69 Swansea 1 West Brom 2 Youssouf Mulumbu scores the late winner for West Brom GETTY IMAGES 44/69 Swansea 1 West Brom 2 West Brom players congratulate Stephane Sessegnon on his equaliser GETTY IMAGES 45/69 Swansea 1 West Brom 2 Wilfried Bony and James Morrison go in for a tackle GETTY IMAGES 46/69 West Brom 0 Manchester United 3 West Brom manager Pepe Mel looks on as his team go down 3-0 at home GETTY IMAGES

 47/69 West Brom 0 Manchester United 3 Danny Welbeck comes off the bench to score United's third GETTY IMAGES 48/69 West Brom 0 Manchester United 3 Wayne Rooney celebrates his goal GETTY IMAGES 49/69 West Brom 0 Manchester United 3 Wayne Rooney scores with a header to make it 2-0 to Man United GETTY IMAGES 50/69 West Brom 0 Manchester United 3 Adnan Januzaj is shown a yellow card for hand ball GETTY IMAGES 51/69 West Brom 0 Manchester United 3 Phil Jones powers home a header to put Man United 1-0 up GETTY IMAGES 52/69 West Brom 1 Fulham 1 A point made: Matej Vydra delivers the shot that Maarten Stekelenburg let under his arm for West Bromwich’s late equaliser GETTY IMAGES 53/69 West Brom 1 Fulham 1 James Morrison goes in for a tackle with Scott Parker GETTY IMAGES 54/69 West Brom 1 Chelsea 1 Jose Mourinho before kick off 55/69 West Brom 1 Chelsea 1 Liam Ridgewell heads

 clear 56/69 West Brom 1 Chelsea 1 Cesar Azpilicueta wins the ball 57/69 West Brom 1 Chelsea 1 Branislav Ivanovic scores 58/69 West Brom 1 Chelsea 1 Ivanovic celebrates his goal 59/69 West Brom 1 Chelsea 1 Chelsea celebrate with goalscorer Ivanovic 60/69 West Brom 1 Chelsea 1 Victor Anichebe equalises for West Brom 61/69 Crystal Palace 3 West Brom 1 Scott Dann of Crystal Palace organises the defence during the 3-1 win over West Brom GETTY IMAGES 62/69 Crystal Palace 3 West Brom 1 Marouane Chamakh of Palace is fouled by Ben Foster of West Brom to win a penalty GETTY IMAGES 63/69 West Brom 1 Liverpool 1 Luis Suarez is fouled early on 64/69 West Brom 1 Liverpool 1 Coutinho loses the ball 65/69 West Brom 1 Liverpool 1 Daniel Sturridge scores the opening goal 66/69 West Brom 1 Liverpool 1 Sturridge celebrates his goal

 Nicolas Anelka Banned 5 Matches, Fined £80,000 for Quenelle Gesture | Bleacher Report Nicolas Anelka Banned 5 Matches, Fined £80,000 for Quenelle Gesture Getty Images Tim Daniels Featured Columnist IVDecember 17, 2016 Updates from Thursday, Mar.

13 According to Richard Conway of BBC, Nicolas Anelka will not appeal the five-match ban: Owen Gibson of The Guardian reports the FA is satisfied with Anelka's punishment: Updates from Thursday, Mar. 6 The FA has released a PDF explaining the decision behind Nicolas Anelka's punishment. Updates From Saturday, Mar. 1 According to the Associated Press , the FA is considering reassessing Anelka's ban: The English Football Association could push for Nicolas Anelka to serve more than a five-match ban for a racially aggravated goal celebration by appealing against its own disciplinary panel's verdict. The West Bromwich Albion striker on Wednesday received the minimum FA racism ban for performing a gesture which is known in France as a "quenelle" and has been called an "inverted Nazi salute." Although the gesture was found to be racist, the FA's independent commission backed Anelka's insistence that he was not being intentionally anti-Semitic.

FA General Secretary Alex Horne says it won't receive the written reasons until Monday "at which point it's open to appeal from either our side or from Nicolas Anelka's side." Until then Horne says he can't comment on "whether five matches is enough." Original Text West Bromwich Albion striker Nicolas Anelka has received a five-match ban from the English Football Association in connection with a controversial gesture he made after scoring a goal against West Ham United in December. Anelka was also fined £80,000 for the gesture. The Football Association passed along word of the suspension on Thursday: An Independent Regulatory Commission has found an aggravated breach of FA Rule E3 against Nicolas Anelka proven and has issued a five-match suspension and a fine of £80,000, pending appeal. The West Bromwich Albion player has also been ordered to complete a compulsory education course. The Independent Regulatory Commission will provide written reasons for its decision in due course. Mr Anelka has the right to appeal the decision. Mr Anelka must notify The FA of his intention to appeal within seven days of receipt of the written reasons.

Rob Harris of The Associated Press provided further perspective: The action in question was a so-called "quenelle" gesture, which is viewed by some as a Nazi salute in reverse. After he made the sign, it drew the immediate ire of French sports minister Valerie Fourneyron due to its possible anti-Semitic roots. "Shocking and disgusting" and "there was no place for anti-Semitism on the football field" are some of the comments made by Fourneyron about the situation, according to the BBC . West Brom has also suspended Anelka while the remainder of the process plays out, according to a statement on the club website : West Bromwich Albion treats very seriously any such allegation which includes any reference to ethnic origin and/or race and/or religion and/or belief. Upon both charges being proven, the Club has suspended Nicolas Anelka pending the conclusion of the FA’s disciplinary process and the Club’s own internal investigation. The Club acknowledges that the FA panel ‘did not find that Nicolas Anelka is an anti-Semite or that he intended to express or promote anti-Semitism by his use of the quenelle’.

However, the Club cannot ignore the offence that his actions have caused, particularly to the Jewish community, nor the potential damage to the Club’s reputation. David Delew, the Chief Executive of the Community Security Trust, provided a statement on Anelka (via The Board of Deputies of British Jews ): Nicolas Anelka has rightly been found guilty of introducing an ugly antisemitic gesture into British football. We acknowledge Anelka’s denial of antisemitic intent, but his action was clear and the FA’s zero tolerance approach to racism meant there could be no other outcome. This verdict sends a strong message to Jewish players and supporters at all levels of the game that the FA will act against antisemitic acts if they are reported. Anelka defended himself throughout the process. He claimed the gesture had nothing to do with religion, but was rather dedicated to French comedian Dieudonne M'bala M'bala and sent a message of anti-system. CNN translated his remarks and provided more information: "(The) meaning (of) quenelle: anti-system. I do not know what the word religion has to do with this story!

Of course, I am neither racist nor anti-Semitic," the footballer, who converted to Islam in 2004, tweeted last month after the incident. After making the gesture against West Ham, Anelka agreed to his club's request that he would not repeat it. In charging Anelka, the FA noted that the gesture in question did violate Rule E3, concluding that it involved an improper reference: It is alleged that, in the 40th minute of the fixture, Anelka made a gesture which was abusive and/or indecent and/or insulting and/or improper, contrary to FA Rule E3[1]. It is further alleged that this is an aggravated breach, as defined in FA Rule E3[2], in that it included a reference to ethnic origin and/or race and/or religion or belief. Only Anelka knows if he had a firm understanding of the sign before he flashed it during the match against West Ham or if he truly viewed it differently than others. By handing out the ban, the FA is making it clear these types of gestures have no place in the sport.

It also sends a message to players that they shouldn't make any signal that could come off negatively, even if they believe it to have a separate meaning. Recently, Anelka has been sidelined by a shin injury. Sky Sports reported he had returned to training with the club, but wasn't ready for a full return to action ahead of the FA hearing. The 34-year-old French striker has watched his form drop off ever since he left Chelsea in 2012. West Brom signed him over the summer in an attempt to bolster a middling attack, but the results have been mixed. It's unclear if Anelka will move right back into a prominent role on the attack once the ban comes to an end. As the CNN report mentions, he has also run into separate problems during stints with Real Madrid, Chelsea and the French national team. In light of Anelka's suspension and the ban from the FA, it's unclear when or if the player will return to the pitch this season.

Nicolas Anelka faces lengthy ban after controversial quenelle gesture | Football | The Guardian Nicolas Anelka faces lengthy ban after controversial quenelle gesture • Gesture linked to anti-Zionist French comedian • FA and Kick It Out are investigating Anelka's actions Nicolas Anelka makes the quenelle gesture after scoring against West Ham. Photograph: Ian Kington/AFP/Getty Images Nicolas Anelka faces lengthy ban after controversial quenelle gesture • Gesture linked to anti-Zionist French comedian • FA and Kick It Out are investigating Anelka's actions Sunday 29 December 2013 18.47 EST First published on Sunday 29 December 2013 18.47 EST Close This article is 3 years old Nicolas Anelka has refused to apologise for his controversial quenelle gesture and denied any anti-Semitic intent behind the celebration. In a series of tweets, Anelka has defended his actions, saying the quenelle celebration was intended to be anti-establishment. He tweeted: " I do not know what the word religion has to do with this story . This quenelle is a dedication to my friend [the comedian] Dieudonné .

With regard to the ministers who have given their own interpretations of my quenelle … they are the ones that create confusion and controversy without knowing what this gesture really means . I ask people not to be duped by the media … And of course, I am neither a racist nor an anti-Semite ." The striker has been at the centre of a storm since he was spotted doing the quenelle, described by some as a "reverse Nazi salute", while celebrating the first of his two goals for West Brom at Upton Park. The Football Association has confirmed it is investigating the matter alongside Kick It Out and it is possible that under anti-discriminatory rules introduced by the governing body in May, Anelka could be banned for five matches. That sanction could be extended, however, depending on "aggravating" factors and there remains the possibility of Uefa getting involved and handing Anelka a lengthy ban itself under Article 14 of their own disciplinary regulations.

Those state that "any person who insults the human dignity of a person or group of persons … on the grounds of skin colour, race, religion or ethnic origin, incurs a suspension lasting at least 10 matches." That, however, would only kick in should Anelka join a club playing in Uefa competitions. Anelka has confirmed that by placing his left arm across his chest while keeping his right arm pointed downwards, he was indeed recreating the quenelle, but insisted on Twitter that it was a " special dedication to my comedian friend Dieudonné ." Dieudonné M'Bala M'Bala, however, is well known in France for maintaining anti-Semitic views and for having come up with the quenelle, which he first used in 2009 while standing in the European elections for an anti-Zionist party. The 47-year-old has insisted that the gesture is meant as an anti-establishment protest and is not directed specifically at the Jewish community, but it has been described as "the sodomisation of victims of the Holocaust" by Alain Jakubowicz, the president of the French league against racism and antisemitism.

Dieudonné has reportedly started legal proceedings against Jakubowicz for libel. The Board of Deputies of British Jews has described the quenelle as "antisemitic" and says Dieudonné "has form for race hate". France's interior minister, Manuel Valls, is now considering whether to ban all public appearances by Dieudonné, who has been fined a number of times for hate speech, with the controversy surrounding Anelka's celebration hardly likely to help the so-called comedian's cause. "Anelka's gesture is a shocking, disgusting provocation," said Fourneyron. "There is no place for antisemitism and incitement to hatred on the football pitch." Anelka, who converted to Islam in 2004, has received the support of his club, with the West Brom caretaker manager, Keith Downing, describing the controversy surrounding his celebration as "rubbish" in the aftermath of Saturday's fixture. "I'm aware of it but it is dedicated to a French comedian he [Anelka] knows well," said Downing.

The quenelle outrage overshadowed an excellent display by Anelka at the weekend, when the 34-year-old scored his first goals for West Brom since joining the club on a free transfer in the summer. A lengthy-ban could ultimately signal the end of what has been a consistently controversial career, which included his expulsion from the 2010 France World Cup squad in South Africa for verbally attacking the then head coach Raymond Domenech. Anelka is not the first footballer who has been photographed doing the quenelle, with Manchester City's Samir Nasri and Liverpool's Mamadou Sakho having also performed the gesture. Anti-Semitism row shines light on fractured French society - CNN.com Anti-Semitism row shines light on fractured French society By John Sinnott and Sarah Holt, CNN Updated 1250 GMT (2050 HKT) January 3, 2014 Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds. Photos: What's in a gesture? What's in a gesture? – West Brom player Nicolas Anelka was banned and fined by the English Football Association for making an allegedly anti-Semitic gesture.

The striker denied intending to cause any offense but the French government has criticized him. Hide Caption 1 of 10 Photos: What's in a gesture? What's in a gesture? – In the early part of his career, the controversial French footballer -- who has played for top clubs such as Real Madrid, Chelsea, Arsenal and Juventus -- was nicknamed "Le Sulk." Hide Caption 2 of 10 Photos: What's in a gesture? What's in a gesture? – The "quenelle" gesture has been popularized by the anti-establishment French comedian Dieudonne, who has been condemned in France for anti-Semitism. Here people perform the "quenelle" in front of Dieudonne's theater, while protesting against French interior minister Manuel Valls who has called for Dieudonne's performances to be banned. Hide Caption 3 of 10 Photos: What's in a gesture? What's in a gesture? – Supporters of Dieudonne argue that the issue of "freedom of speech" in France is at stake after Valls called for the comic's performances to be banned.

Here a man poses with one of his drawings showing a Jewish character covering the mouth of another character with a gag reading "freedom of speech." Hide Caption 4 of 10 Photos: What's in a gesture? What's in a gesture? – In November, Dieudonne M'Bala M'Bala was fined 28,000 euros ($38,591) for defamation, insults, incentive to hate and discrimination for remarks he made and a song broadcast in two videos on the internet. Hide Caption 5 of 10 Photos: What's in a gesture? What's in a gesture? – Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho is another footballer who has been photographed performing the gesture. Sakho said he was tricked into performing the signal and wrote on his Twitter account: "This photo was taken six months ago, I did not know the meaning of this gesture, I got trapped!" Hide Caption 6 of 10 Photos: What's in a gesture? What's in a gesture?

– Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri, who was also photographed making the "quenelle" gesture, insisted he used it to symbolize "being against the system." He tweeted: "It has absolutely nothing to do with being anti-Semitic or against Jewish people. I apologize for causing any hurt to anyone." Hide Caption 7 of 10 Photos: What's in a gesture? What's in a gesture? – Over in the U.S., NBA superstar Tony Parker has been forced to apologize after a picture from three years ago surfaced of him doing the "quenelle." Hide Caption 8 of 10 Photos: What's in a gesture? What's in a gesture? – According to the French Interior Ministry, there were 1,539 racist and anti-Semitic attacks in 2012, a rise of 22%. Hide Caption 9 of 10 Photos: What's in a gesture? What's in a gesture? – Located in the northeastern suburbs of Paris, Drancy concentration camp was used mainly as a holding place for Jews awaiting deportation to other concentration camps. Approximately 70,000 prisoners passed through Drancy between August 1941 and August 1944.

Most of the Drancy inmates were Jews except for some members of the French resistance. Hide Caption Nicolas Anelka Celebrates Goal With Allegedly Anti-Semitic 'Quenelle' Gesture (PHOTO) | The Huffington Post Nicolas Anelka Celebrates Goal With Allegedly Anti-Semitic 'Quenelle' Gesture (PHOTO) 12/28/2013 05:57 pm ET | Updated Dec 30, 2013 160 Chris Greenberg Sports Editor, The Huffington Post Nicolas Anelka sparked outrage with a controversial goal celebration that has been described as a "shocking, disgusting provocation" by French Sports Minister Valerie Fourneyron. The 34-year-old French striker netted two goals for West Brom in a 3-3 draw with West Ham on Saturday in England's Premier League. Anelka celebrated his first goal with what appeared to be a controversial gesture known as the "quenelle." The gesture popularized by French comedian Dieudonne M'Bala M'Bala is considered "the Nazi salute in reverse" by Jewish groups in France, according to The Mirror. Dieudonne has reportedly claimed it is anti-Zionist but not anti-semitic.

“Anelka’s gesture is a shocking, disgusting provocation," Fourneyron wrote on Twitter, via BBC . "There is no place for anti-semitism and incitement to hatred on the football pitch.” French soccer journalist Philippe Auclair provided some background on the gesture, including its origin as well as the possible interpretations. This gesture, 'la quenelle', was invented by a comedian named Dieudonne, supposedly as an 'anti-establishment' statement. But... — Philippe Auclair (@PhilippeAuclair) December 28, 2013 ...it can also be read as an inversion of the Nazi salute, and has been the subject of an official complaint by anti-racist organisations. — Philippe Auclair (@PhilippeAuclair) December 28, 2013 To use it at the moment is cretinous at best. Far worse than the finger aimed at MCFC fans by Wilshere, which was rightly punished. — Philippe Auclair (@PhilippeAuclair) December 28, 2013 @Silent_canon It is a deeply offensive gesture in the current political context in France, especially to our Jewish community. Objectively.

— Philippe Auclair (@PhilippeAuclair) December 28, 2013 As referenced by Auclair, Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere was recently hit with a two-match ban from the Football Association, the governing body of English football, for giving Manchester City fans the middle finger. When asked about Anelka's gesture after the match, West Brom manager Keith Downing denied that there was any ill intention behind it. "But it’s nothing to do with what’s been said," said, via Goal.com . "He’s dedicated it to a French comedian who he knows very well. It was a gesture he uses in his act. The speculation can stop now. It’s absolute rubbish. He’s totally unaware of what the problems were." Anelka eventually took to Twitter in his own defense, claiming the gesture was simply a tribute to Dieudonne.

This gesture was just a special dedication to my comedian friend Dieudonné — nicolas anelka (@anelkaofficiel) December 28, 2013 As reported by Sky News, Dieudonne has been fined for hate speech on several occasions and run for political office as part of an "Anti-Zionist List." If the FA does determine that Anelka's gesture is anti-semitic, the punishment doled out by FIFA against Croatia defender Josip Simunic may be a more relevant precedent than the relatively brief ban for Wilshere. Simunic will miss the 2014 World Cup after being banned 10 matches for celebrating Croatia's qualification with a pro-Nazi chant.

Also on HuffPost: Nicholas Anelka could face police probe for 'anti-Semitic gesture' | Daily Mail Online Footballer Nicholas Anelka could face police probe for 'making French anti-Semitic gesture' after scoring a goal West Brom striker, 34, caused outrage by performing a 'quenelle' today 'Reverse Nazi salute' involves touching right shoulder with left hand Coach Keith Downing said claims it was anti-Semitic are 'absolute rubbish' Gesture popularised by the firebrand comic Dieudonne M'bala M'bala French authorities have debated if his performances should be banned France's sports minister condemned Anelka's behaviour tonight on Twitter

Question: Which footballer was fined for giving 'the quenelle', known as the reverse Nazi salute, during a match at West Ham?
Answer: NICHOLAS ANELKA