Sponsor reportedly warn West Brom over Anelka gesture

West Brom sponsor Zoopla has reportedly threatened to withdraw its lucrative shirt deal with the club unless Nicolas Anelka is axed from the team.

The suggestion follows Anelka's controversial "quenelle" gesture made during Albion's 3-3 draw at West Ham on December 28, which the Football Association is currently investigating.

When contacted by Press Association Sport, spokespersons for both West Brom and Zoopla, a property and house prices website, declined to comment on Marketing Week's report.

John Simpson, West Brom's head of communications, said: "West Bromwich Albion will be making no further comment until the Football Association has concluded its investigation, and the club its own internal inquiry, into the matter."

Zoopla's head of communications, Lawrence Hall, added: "We are not commenting at this stage."

It is understood Zoopla is unhappy with West Brom's decision to continue to play Anelka despite the furore surrounding the gesture, which has been declared by some to be anti-Semitic.

Anelka has defended the celebration, reasoning that the salute was a tribute to French comedian and his friend Dieudonné and not anti-Jewish.

The reported claim is that Zoopla will pull out of its deal with Albion, which currently has another six months to run, should Anelka play in Monday's Barclays Premier League match against Everton at The Hawthorns.

It is believed West Brom, whose new head coach Pepe Mel tackles his first game in charge against Everton, are still intending to play Anelka.