By Andrew Warshaw
January 23 – Despite widespread condemnation of his action, former French international Nicolas Anelka has called on English football authorities to drop the charge against him for his now-infamous alleged Nazi-style gesture.
The much-travelled Anelka used his Facebook and Twitter accounts to once again deny he was either anti-Semitic or racist.
The West Bromwich Albion striker has until 1800 GMT on Thursday to respond formally to the charge that he made an improper gesture. Otherwise he could face a ban of five matches, or even more.
Anelka still maintains the so-called “quenelle” gesture he made after scoring the first of his two goals in West Brom’s 3-3 draw at West Ham on December 28 was a tribute to his French comedian friend Dieudonne M’Bala M’Bala, who invented the sign and is hugely controversial in France for his right-wing views.
The former Real Madrid, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Paris St Germain striker wants to call a witness who is an expert in French language and culture to put the gesture in context.
In an interview with Le Figaro newspaper, Roger Cukierman, head of Jewish organisation CRIF (Representative Council of French Jewish Institutions), came to Anelka’s defence.
“It seems a bit severe to me because it seems that this gesture only has an anti-Semitic connation if it is made in front of a synagogue or a memorial to the Holocaust,” Cukierman said.
“When it’s made in a place which is not specifically Jewish it seems to me that it’s a slightly anarchic gesture of revolt against the establishment, which doesn’t deserve severe sanctions.”
Many other groups however, take a much harsher view calling for Anelka to be banned for longer than just five matches.
Jonathan Arkush, vice-president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said: “I know under the rules that on a first-time offence there is a minimum five-game suspension. But I think what he did was sufficiently serious to justify a longer suspension than five matches.
“He has not indicated one bit of remorse or regret or apologised for his actions. He has simply said he wouldn’t do it again and that is not good enough.”
The quenelle has been described as an inverted Nazi salute and whether the FA find him guilty or not, the gesture has already had repercussions.
Zoopla, a property market search engine co-owned by Jewish businessman Alex Chesterman, announced on Monday they would not be renewing their £3 million shirt sponsorship with West Brom at the end of the season.
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