Nicolas Anelka 'quenelle' gesture: West Brom striker faces hearing next week
A date has been set for a hearing that is expected to last a few days
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Nicolas Anelka's disciplinary hearing into his controversial 'quenelle' salute is due to start early next week.
The three-man independent regulatory panel's hearing is expected to last several days but to be completed by the end of the week.
West Brom's French striker faces a minimum five-match ban after being charged by the Football Association with performing an alleged anti-Semitic gesture during his club's match against West Ham on December 28.
The 34-year-old has denied the gesture was anti-Semitic and requested a personal hearing.
Anelka was charged last month with an aggravated offence after making a gesture that was judged to be "abusive and/or indecent and/or insulting and/or improper".
The aggravated breach was that it included "a reference to ethnic origin and/or race and/or religion or belief".
The quenelle has been described as an inverted Nazi salute and its invention has been credited to French comedian Dieudonne M'bala M'bala, a friend of Anelka's, who was been prosecuted in France for anti-Semitism.
Anelka maintains his goal celebration was an anti-establishment gesture in support of Dieudonne.
Last month, Dieudonne was banned from entering the UK after the Home Office made him subject to an exclusion order.
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments