The "quenelle" of Anelka "was not anti-semitic" (English FA)

The "quenelle" performed by Nicolas Anelka, the West Bromwich Albion striker, in the match against West Ham United (3-3, 19^th matchday of the Premier League) on 28/12/2014, was not meant to be anti-semitic, said the independent commission of the FA (Football Association) on 06/03/2014.

In a 35-page report published as part of the proceeding, the commission acknowledged that "the quenelle is strongly associated with anti-semitism," but it is impossible to conclude that "Nicolas Anelka was or is anti-Semitic and he had the intent to express anti-semitism by making the quenelle gesture."

Nicolas Anelka has been suspended for five games and ordered to pay a fine of £80,000 (€97,000) by the FA disciplinary proceedings following the use of the gesture. The French international (69 caps, 14 goals) will also participate in a compulsory education programme.

• Nicolas Anelka has been convicted of having used an "improper gesture and/or indecent and/or offensive and/or inappropriate, contrary to the rules of the FA (...) because it is a reference to the ethnic origin and/or race and/or…