West Bromwich Albion striker Nicholas Anelka has hit back at a charge from the English Football Association, as the French striker continues to come under increasing pressure.
Anelka, 34, performed the ‘quenelle’ gesture after scoring against West Ham United in December, with the anti-Semitic sign causing widespread condemnation.
On Tuesday the FA charged Anelka and if found guilty the striker could face a five-game ban for making the “abusive” sign.
But now Anelka has risked further unrest by posting a video from a prominent Jewish leader on his Twitter page, with the message: “Nothing to add.”
(MORE: Anelka faces minimum five-game suspension as FA formally charges him for ‘quenelle’ salute)
Roger Cukierman, head of Jewish organisation CRIF (Representative Council of French Jewish Institutions) and vice-president of the World Jewish Congress spoke to French newspaper Le Figaro about the ‘quenelle’ gesture and informed them that the sign is only deemed as anti-Semitic when made on a Jewish site.
Cukierman had the following to say after Anelka was sanctioned by the FA for his gesture:
All this comes hot on the heels of West Brom’s current shirt sponsor Zoopla announcing they will not be renewing their current deal with the Baggies beyond the end of this season, as they claimed they don’t want to be associated with any anti-Semitic gestures.
A lengthy 34-page document was sent to West Brom by the FA on Tuesday, as English soccer’s governing body explained their allegations against Anelka. The French striker has until 6pm GMT on Thursday to appeal against the charges.
Here is the Tweet Anelka sent out with a link to Cukierman’s video, as the French strikers continues to pleas his innocence after the controversial gesture.