Property search website Zoopla have announced that they will end their sponsorship of West Brom at the end of the season over the controversy caused by Nicolas Anelka’s ‘quenelle’ gesture.
Anelka is yet to learn his fate by the Football Association, with a decision expected to be announced this week confirming whether or not the striker will be charged for his action.
Zoopla head of communications Lawrence Hall has confirmed that they have been considering their options since Anelka performed the gesture while celebrating a goal in the 3-3 draw with West Ham, and have since decided to end their partnership with the Premier League club.
The gesture was brought to prominence by the French comedian Dieudonne, a friend of Anelka who has been prosecuted for anti-Semitism, and it has been described as an inverted Nazi salute.
Anelka has promised not to repeat the gesture again, and he said he views the ‘quenelle’ as “anti-system”, rather than anything to do with religion.
Hall said: “Through our sponsorship of West Bromwich Albion we are pleased to have supported the local community and charities. In recent weeks, however, we have decided to re-evaluate this sponsorship and as a result we will focus our attention on other marketing activities from the end of the season.”
Zoopla has sponsored the club for the past two seasons, having invested over £100,000 to the Albion Foundation and other local charities as part of their work.
They confirmed in an official statement on Monday that they will continue to meet their obligations for the rest of the season.
It was also reported over the weekend that Zoopla had asked West Brom to field Anelka in an unbranded shirt if he is selected for tonight’s match against Everton, although that has not been confirmed by the club nor the property website.
Zoopla, which is owned by Jewish businessman Alex Chesterton, will meet its obligations this season even though the FA is yet to confirm whether they will charge the 34-year-old over the alleged anti-Semitic gesture.