Controversial French 'quenelle' comedian banned from UK

A controversial French comedian at the centre of the Nicolas Anelka anti-semitism row has been banned from entering the UK, the Home Office said.

Dieudonne M'bala M'bala previously announced he would visit London to support the West Bromwich Albion footballer, who faces a ban for performing the comic's "quenelle" salute on the pitch, which is believed by some to be an anti-semitic gesture.

Read more: 'La Quenelle': Controversial gesture explained

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that Mr Dieudonne is subject to an exclusion order. The Home Secretary will seek to exclude an individual from the UK if she considers that there are public policy or public security reasons to do so."

Nicolas Anelka has formally denied an FA charge following his controversial "quenelle' gesture, made during a Premier League match against West Ham.

The FA has charged Anelka with making a gesture that was "abusive and/or indecent and/or insulting and/or improper."

Anelka's club, West Brom, have confirmed the 34-year-old has also requested a personal hearing.

The striker is facing a five match ban, unless he can prove his case.

Romelu Lukaku has apologised for any offense caused following his comments about Nicolas Anelka's use of a 'quenelle' gesture.

The 20-year-old Belgium striker, who is currently on loan at Everton, said in an interview prior to Anelka's FA charge: "He was my idol as a kid and he still is.

"I don't think he should be banned for that, he was just supporting a comedian in France. We don't have to make such a big deal about it."I hope he doesn't get suspended because he is a player people want to play on the pitch."

The evertontv interview was later removed from the club website and today Lukaku said in a statement: "I want to make clear that I was supporting a friend and player I have admired since I was a child.

"I apologise if I caused any offence with my comments as this was never my intention."There has been a misunderstanding and I want to clarify that I was in no way endorsing the gesture made by Nicolas."

The controversial French comedian who first used the 'quenelle' gesture used by Nicolas Anelka has said the footballer is his "brother in humanity".

Speaking for the first time since the Anelka incident to Sky News Dieudonne M'bala M'bala said he was not racist or anti-Semitic and neither was the West Bromwich Albion player.

He said: "Nicolas Anelka has all my support, that's evident. I consider him a brother in humanity. He's someone who is very courageous and for whom I have very much respect and admiration."

'La Quenelle': Controversial gesture explained

Watch: Top French court stops 'anti-Semitic' comedian's show

West Bromwich Albion striker Nicolas Anelka has lost the support of the French Jewish leader he cited when defending his use of the controversial "quenelle" gesture.

The former France international is facing at least a five match ban if the Football Association decides his goal celebration was a racially aggravated breach of its rules.

Anelka responded to the FA's charge by highlighting how the Representative Council of French Jewish Institutions said the gesture was not offensive because it was not performed in front of a Jewish site or Holocaust memorial.

However, Roger Cukierman has now said the gesture is "an inversed Hitler salute" and he was "troubled" Anelka dedicated the "quenelle" to French performer Dieudonne M'Bala M'Bala, "whose own motives are incontestably anti-Semitic."

He added: "I was disappointed by Anelka's attitude, whose behavior is the opposite of that which should be shown by a top-class athlete to the youths of our country."

Read: Nicolas Anelka's damaging lack of judgement

West Bromwich Albion striker Nicolas Anelka has called on the Football Association to lift its "quenelle" gesture charge.

In a statement on his Facebook page, Anelka repeated that he was "not anti-Semitic or a racist."

He also called on the FA to hire an expert who "is French [or is] living in France" and "may have an accurate knowledge of my actions" to help English football's governing body in deciding whether his gesture was anti-Semitic.

Read: Anelka could face at least five match ban

Everton have distanced themselves from on-loan striker Romelu Lukaku's defence of Nicolas Anelka and his use of the controversial 'quenelle' gesture.

The Belgium forward featured in a video interview posted on the Toffees' website in which he said there did not have to be "such a big deal" made about the West Brom player's actions. Anelka has since been charged over the gesture by the Football Association.

However, with comment growing on social media, Everton removed the footage when they became aware there was an issue.

"It is the player's opinion and not the opinion held by the football club," Everton's director of communications Alan Myers told Press Association Sport.

"We moved quickly to remove any interview that may have been offensive to anyone.

"The last thing we want to do is cause offence to anyone."

Press Association Sport reports that Everton's website is managed in collaboration with external partners, the interview, which took place after Everton's 1-1 draw at West Brom was conducted by another media organisation and uploaded without anyone at the club being fully aware of its content.

Read more: Anelka 'considering options' after FA 'quenelle' charge

West Brom insist striker Nicolas Anelka will remain available for selection while he considers his options after being charged by the Football Association over his controversial 'quenelle' goal celebration.

In a statement West Brom said there would be no action from them until the FA had concluded their disciplinary process.

Nicolas Anelka faces the prospect of a minimum five-match ban after being charged by the Football Association over his controversial 'quenelle' goal celebration.

West Brom's French striker has until Thursday to respond to the charge for the gesture, which some say is an inverted Nazi salute and has anti-Semitic connotations.

Anelka has been charged with making a improper gesture and that it was an aggravated breach, in that it included "a reference to ethnic origin and/or race and/or religion or belief."Under new FA rules, such aggravated offences carry a minimum five-match ban and possibly a longer suspension.

Read more on ITV Sport

Football's anti-discrimination group Kick It Out, which has expressed frustration over the length of time taken to decide on the case, called for a swift conclusion.

A statement said:

• Read more: FA charge Nicolas Anelka over 'quenelle' gesture

Read more on ITV Sport