Nicolas Anelka has denied making a racist gesture (Picture: Getty Images)

Nicolas Anelka has denied his controversial goal celebration against West Ham was racist and has posted a picture on Twitter of US president Barack Obama making the same gesture.

The West Brom striker made the ‘quenelle’ salute after scoring his second goal in yesterday’s 3-3 draw with West Ham at Upton Park and now faces an FA investigation.

The salute has been heavily associated with anti-Semitism on the continent and Anelka’s use of it has caused a huge storm in France with French minister for sport Valerie Fourneyron describing it as ‘shocking’ and ‘disgusting’.

She wrote: ‘Anelka’s gesture is a shocking provocation, disgusting. There’s no place for anti-Semitism and incitement to hatred on the football field.’




However, the 34-year-old insists he was not being racist but made the gesture in support of his friend, comedian Dieudonne.

‘This gesture was just a special dedication to my comedian friend Dieudonné,’ Anelka claimed on Twitter.

Dieudonne, who has past convictions for making anti-Semitic remarks, insists the ‘quenelle’ is merely ‘an anti-establishment gesture’.

Anelka also posted a picture of President Obama along with rapper Jay Z and his singer wife Beyonce also performing a similar salute.

This gesture was just a special dedication to my comedian friend Dieudonné — nicolas anelka (@anelkaofficiel) December 28, 2013

Nevertheless, the former France international still faces a possible ban from the Football Association who have promised a zero-tolerance approach to racism on and off the pitch.

A statement from anti-racism campaigners Kick It Out read: ‘The campaign is in contact with partners in England and France regarding this matter and has offered its support to the Football Association in any forthcoming investigation.’

European Jewish Congress president Moshe Kantor said he hoped the former Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool striker would be punished in the same way as if he had performed the traditional Nazi salute.

‘This salute is merely a lesser known Nazi salute and we expect the same kind of punishment to be handed down by the authorities as if Anelka had made the infamous outstretched arm salute,’ he added.

‘La quenelle’ is the subject of a fierce national debate in France that has reached the French interior ministry and stands accused of sparking a spate of attacks across Anelka’s homeland.

West Brom’s acting head coach Keith Downing played down claims about the celebration and said anything else being read into the display was ‘absolute rubbish’.

‘I’m aware of it but it has got nothing to do with what is being said,’ he said.

‘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.

‘He is totally unaware of what the problems were or the speculation that has been thrown around, he is totally surprised by it.’

MORE: Nicolas Anelka faces FA probe after ‘anti-Semetic’ goal celebration in West Brom’s draw at West Ham