BREAKING NEWS

French soccer star: I am not anti-Semitic

By REUTERS

DECEMBER 29, 2013 19:48

PARIS - West Bromwich Albion striker Nicolas Anelka said on Sunday he was not anti-Semitic following the controversial gesture he made during Saturday's Premier League draw at West Ham United which sparked widespread criticism.

French government ministers hit out at the former France international after he celebrated the first of his two goals with an apparent "quenelle" hand signal and the English FA said it would investigate the incident.

The gesture, which is linked to anti-Semitism, has been made famous by French comedian Dieudonne, a close friend of Anelka's.

One of the most controversial figures in French sport who was kicked out of the national squad during the 2010 World Cup for insulting his coach Raymond Domenech, Anelka said he only wanted to greet his friend.

"The meaning of 'quenelle' is anti-system. I don't know what it has to do with religion," Anelka said on his Twitter account.

"So I would ask people not to be deceived by the medias. And of course, I'm not anti-Semitic nor racist and I take full responsibility for my gesture," he said.

IDF announces name of fallen solider

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

04/23/2024 08:17 PM

Two killed in Israeli strike Lebanon

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

04/23/2024 07:46 PM

Hamas al-Qassam Brigades calls for escalation across all fronts

By REUTERS

04/23/2024 05:34 PM

The IDF attacked buildings where Hezbollah terrorists were staying

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

04/23/2024 05:17 PM