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Anelka given five-match ban and fine for quenelle gesture
West Brom striker Nicolas Anelka has been given a five-match ban and fined £80,000 for the 'quenelle' gesture he made during his side's match against West Ham in December.
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Anelka suspended by West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion striker Nicolas Anelka has been suspended by the club pending the conclusion of the FA’s disciplinary process and the Club’s own internal investigation.
In a statement, the club said: "WestBromwich Albion treats very seriously any such allegation which includes anyreference to ethnic origin and/or race and/or religion and/or belief."
The 35-year-old former French international has been given a five-match ban and fined £80,000 by the FA for the 'quenelle' gesture he made during his side's match against West Ham in December.
Anelka punished by new anti-racism rules
The FA introduced new anti-racism rules last year following criticism of its handling of cases involving John Terry and Luis Suarez.
The new guidelines meant a five-game ban was the minimum that could be issued if Nicolas Anelka was found guilty of making a racist gesture.
Here's how Anelka's punishment compares with other high-profile cases dealt with by the FA in recent years:
- December 2011: Luis Suarez is banned for eight matches for racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra. He is also fined £40,000.
- September 2012: After a long-running denial, John Terry accepts a four-match ban and a fine of £220,000 for racially abusing Queens Park Rangers' Anton Ferdinand.
- April 2013: Luis Suarez receives a 10-match ban for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic.
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FA 'did not find that Nicolas Anelka is an anti-Semite'
The Football Association said its Independent Regulatory Commission found Nicolas Anelka guilty of an "aggravated breach" of its rules because the gesture "included a reference to ethnic origin and/or race and/or religion or belief."
But the commission added:
Anelka given ban and fine for 'quenelle' gesture
West Brom striker Nicolas Anelka has been given a five-match ban and fined £80,000 for the 'quenelle' gesture he made during his side's match against West Ham in December.
The Frenchman will also be ordered to complete a compulsory education course, the Football Association said.