OSG Prem: Anelka Wants FA Charge Dropped, Hasn't Appealed Yet...

((HT: Sky Sports/BPL))

The FA came down with a charge against the West Brom striker for this in the West Ham game before the New Year...


Technically, it was for "...making a gesture alleged to have been "abusive or indecent or insulting or improper"

Anelka maintains that the so-called "quenelle" gesture was "anti-establishment" and not anti-Semitic... and, at least, 5 games hang in the balance for the decision on the appeal...

He has until 1PM east coast time tomorrow to file the paperwork.

"I ask that the FA kindly remove the charges alleged against me," he wrote on his Facebook page on Wednesday afternoon. "And I repeat, I am neither anti-Semitic nor racist."

He has even submitted a clip through his Twitter feed that backs up his claim from the head of something called the CRIF.
Roger Cukierman, head of the Jewish organisation CRIF (Representative Council of French Jewish Institutions) maintained this point in a recent interview:
((HT: SNTV))


Remember, earlier this week West Brom main sponsor Zoopla has withdrawn their interest in keeping the deal after it expires after this season. There was even discussion that Zoopla wanted their named removed from Anelka's kit.

Zoopla's president is Jewish...

OSG Prem: Yep, Zoopla Is Done With West Brom

((HT: Sky Sports))

And this news comes hours before their Monday night match-up against Everton...

Against West Ham, Anelka celebrated by using a "quenelle" gesture- what is regarded as an inverted Nazi salute. Anelka responded by saying it was a tribute to French comedian Dieudonne, who has been arrested half-a-dozen times for hate speech against Jews.


Zoopla said, in a statement, that it had been "reviewing its position over the past few weeks in light of the actions of striker, Nicolas Anelka, during the match against West Ham over the Christmas period and has decided to focus its attention on other marketing activities after this season."

Zoopla is owned by Alex Chesterman, who is Jewish, and they had given West Brom their largest kit deal in history. The deal was set to end after this season. The firm just confirms it now and word is that any kit Anelka wears must not have the Zoopla logo on its front...

The game with Everton should be interesting...

OSG Prem: West Brom Main Sponsor May Pull Over Anelka Flap

It all started over this salute-slash-tribute by West Brom striker Nicolas Anelka...

At West Ham on Boxing Day, he made a 'quenelle' gesture which some French politicians have associated with anti-Semitism...


Anelka claimed it was a tribute to a stand-up comedian friend of his, Dieudonne...

Now the sponsor on the front of the West Brom kit, Zoopla, may pull out of their sponsorship if Anelka plays Monday. The company is owned by Alex Westerman, who is Jewish. A Marketing Week article by Sebastian Joseph says the company will pull out "with immediate effect" if Anelka is still around.

From Joseph:

It is likely Anelka will face the Merseyside side club next week, however, with one source close to the matter claiming the club is not prepared to let sponsors dictate its team selection. West Brom are believed to have already made early inquires into securing a temporary sponsor for the remainder of the season should Zoopla act on its threat. The property firm’s two-year deal with the club ends this season and the club is “confident’ of being able to find a new long-term backer given the League’s growing popularity, according to the source.

The Football Association is still looking into the move by Anelka...