Official WBA statement
West Bromwich Albion notes that both charges were proven against Nicolas Anelka at an FA hearing in relation to a gesture he made during the 3-3 draw at West Ham on December 28.
The Club cooperated fully with the FA’s investigation and has allowed due process to take place without prejudicing the outcome of the player’s hearing.
Both the player and Club are now awaiting the written reasons for the panel’s decision, upon the receipt of which the player will have seven days to decide whether to exercise his right of appeal.
West Bromwich Albion treats very seriously any such allegation which includes any reference to ethnic origin and/or race and/or religion and/or belief. Upon both charges being proven, the Club has suspended Nicolas Anelka pending the conclusion of the FA’s disciplinary process and the Club’s own internal investigation.
The Club acknowledges that the FA panel ‘did not find that Nicolas Anelka is an anti-Semite or that he intended to express or promote anti-Semitism by his use of the quenelle’. However, the Club cannot ignore the offence that his actions have caused, particularly to the Jewish community, nor the potential damage to the Club’s reputation.
The Club will make no further comment until the FA’s disciplinary process and its own internal investigation have been completed.