30 December,2013 04:08 AM IST | | AFP
The 34-year-old Frenchman was widely criticised after he celebrated his first goal at Upton Park by performing the âquenelle' salute made famous by French comedian Dieudonne.
Nicolas Anelka gestures after scoring on Saturday. Pic/AFP.
The gesture has been linked to anti-Semitism in France, although others claim it is only used to show solidarity with anti-establishment views.u00a0The French minister for sport Valerie Fourneyron on Saturday night condemned the gesture, describing it as "shocking" and "disgusting" through her official Twitter account.
Former Real Madrid, Chelsea and Arsenal star Anelka tried to play down the incident.u00a0"This gesture was a special dedication to my friend Dieudonne," he said on Twitter.
