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Nicolas Anelka received a very strict punishment for his behavior. After upsetting the public in England with the displayed anti-Semitic gesture "quenelle", the "West Brom" forward will not be able to play in five matches. This suspension was imposed on him by the English Football Association (FA).
However, the FA disciplinary committee emphasized that N. Anelka did not intend to incite hostility against Jews with his actions. The gesture displayed in France is called "quenelle" and is also known as an inverted Nazi salute.
The committee pointed out that the gesture was offensive, but refused to accuse the 34-year-old Frenchman of racism or anti-Semitism.
N. Anelka will also have to pay a fine of £80,000.
The scandalous gesture made by N. Anelka was shown on December 28, when he scored a goal against "West Ham United".
The decision of the FA to punish the football player was welcomed by international Jewish communities.
