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...

OSG Prem: West Brom's Anelka Facing Ban For Anti-Semitic Gesture

((HT: BPL))

First of all... tell us what you think this gesture means...


Anelka scored twice in West Brom's 3-3 draw with West Ham, but the FA is asking him what in the blue hell he was thinking when he gave the French "quenelle" salute- made famous by French comedian Dieudonne, a close personal friend of Anelka, and linked to anti-Semitism in France.

Anelka is claiming that it was just a nod to his friend while the rest of the world is coming down hard...

French minister for sport Valerie Fourneyron called the move "shocking" and "disgusting" through her official Twitter account.

"Anelka's gesture is a shocking provocation, disgusting. There's no place for anti-Semitism and incitement to hatred on the football field."

Richard Ferrer, of the Jewish News, told Sky Sports News:

"This is either a lack of awareness on Anelka's part, or something more sinister...he must be aware of the 'quenelle's meaning and the baggage it carries. Surely he was making a statement? It's a major concern for the Football Association."

European Jewish Congress president Moshe Kantor told Sky: "This salute is merely a lesser known Nazi salute and we expect the same kind of punishment to be handed down by the authorities as if Anelka had made the infamous outstretched arm salute."

The HQ guesses that Anelka is in a load of trouble...