Tottenham Hotspor and Cameroon international Benoit Assou-Ekotto has been suspended for three matches over his congratulatory Tweet to Nicolas Anelka after the striker punctuated a goal with his now infamous “quenelle” celebration.
Assou-Ekotto, the big-haired player on loan to QPR last season, took to social media to high-five Anelka after the then-West Brom player controversially used a French comedian’s incendiary anti-Semitic salute after scoring a goal.
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From the BBC:The striker claimed it was a show of support to his friend, the comedian Dieudonne M’bala M’bala, but the FA ruled that the gesture was “abusive and/or indecent and/or insulting and/or improper”.
Assou-Ekotto used Twitter to congratulate Anelka on his use of the gesture, which its proponents claim is merely anti-establishment.
The defender previously denied wrongdoing and said he was “disappointed” to face disciplinary action over his message.
Perhaps the investigation took a bit too long, but it seems many athletes did not understand the depths of their joke usage. For Assou-Ekotto’s sake, you’d have to hope a pretty decent investigation was made into the matter. In any event, hate getting punished -- ignorant or blatant -- is alright by me.
