The Football Association have opened an investigation into a gesture made by Nicolas Anelka at Upton Park today which is widely viewed in France as being anti-semitic.
Anelka has insisted he was not making an anti-semitic statement when he celebrated a goal with the gesture, known as 'La Quenelle', but it is deeply controversial in France.
Anelka greeted his first goal in West Bromwich Albion's 3-3 draw with West Ham United today with the salute.
Defended as an anti-establishment gesture by those who have used it but associated with anti-semitism by many others in France, it was invented by Anelka's friend and French comedian Dieudonne.More: Daily Telegraph
Via Philosémitisme Blog - Anelka posted an image on his Twitter account, showing Obama, Beyoncé and Jay-Z doing the Quenelle too.
Of course, they wouldn't know what it means. This gesture has a very specific antisemitic meaning only in France and the surrounding French-speaking countries.
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