Anelka Suspended by West Bromwich Albion after 5-Game Ban by FA
West Bromwich Albion have suspended striker Nicolas Anelka after he was banned for five matches over his ‘quenelle’ goal celebration.
Anelka was found guilty of making an anti-Semitic gesture and handed a five-game ban as we as £80,000 fine by an independent commission convened by the FA. Though the commission said the Baggies forward was not anti-Semitic and did not mean to cause offence with his ‘quenelle’ goal celebration at West Ham on December 28.
The club have however suspended the former France international, saying it could not ignore the offence caused and potential damage to the club’s reputation.
A Baggies statement said: “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.”
