By Andrew Warshaw
January 20 – Shirt sponsors Zoopla have allegedly threatened to pull out of their £3 million deal with English Premier League club West Bromwich Albion unless the club drops former French international Nicolas Anelka over the allegedly racist sign he made over Christmas.
Anelka fiercely denies that his use of the so-called ‘quennelle’ inverted Nazi salute, brought to prominence by French comedian Dieudonné M’bala M’bala, was anti-semitic but the gesture has prompted fierce reaction in both sporting and political circles.
Dieudonné is a controversial figure in France because of his far-right views and Anelka has pledged not to repeat the action, which shows the left hand held across the shoulder of the right arm pointing downwards.
But Zoopla, a property website owned by a Jewish businessman, has warned it will withdraw its agreement with West Brom if Anelka plays against Everton this evening (Monday), according to reports. They have been sponsors since 2012 – the club’s biggest deal – and have branded advertising around the ground.
The much-travelled Anelka is already being investigated by the English FA for making the gesture after scoring the first of his two goals in a 3-3 draw at West Ham on December 28. It has drawn widespread condemnation both in France and from anti-racist and Jewish groups in England, but Anelka has played in every league game since making the sign.
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