Nicolas Anelka impressed on his return to Premier League action for West Brom as he bagged two goals for the Baggies in five minutes, having spent two months out of the since the 4-1 defeat to Liverpool in October. However, his first goal was clouded in controversy as he appeared to celebrate with an anti-Semitic gesture which was popularised in France.
Anelka netted the second goal of the game to bring West Brom level after Joe Cole had given West Ham an early lead, and the Frenchman quickly turned to celebrate his first goal for the club since he joined in the summer by imitating an apparent anti-Semitic gesture.
His celebration was a mirror image of the gesture made popular by French, anti-Semitic comedian Dieudonne M’bala M’bala, as the action is said to be a ‘Nazi salute in reverse’, although it is unclear whether Anelka meant anything by the act. The striker has been pictured previously with the controversial comedian repeating the gesture together.
Interim head coach Keith Downing spoke after the game to confirm Anelka’s surprise at the reaction to his celebration, insisting that the 34-year-old gestured in support for his friend M’bala M’bala and nothing more.
“I’m aware of it but it has got nothing to do what is being said,” Downing replied when asked about the gesture.
“It is dedicated to a French comedian he knows very, very well. He uses it in his act and I think speculation can be stopped now, it is absolute rubbish really.
“He is totally unaware of what the problems were or the speculation that has been thrown around, he is totally surprised by it.”