Nicolas Anelka’s career in English football appears to be over after West Bromwich Albion responded to a Football Association ban for his quenelle gesture by suspending the striker, launching an internal investigation and accusing him of causing ‘potential damage to the club’s reputation’.

An independent FA commission hit Anelka with a five-match ban and an £80,000 fine for what has been described as an ‘inverted Nazi salute’ at Upton Park on December 28; a punishment that was considered too lenient last night given Liverpool’s Luis Suarez was banned for eight matches for racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra.

Stephen Pollard, editor of the Jewish Chronicle, accused the FA of regarding anti-Semitism as a ‘lesser form of racism’ than Suarez’s abuse of Evra. ‘The whole thing is ludicrous,’ said Pollard. ‘It brings the FA into disrepute in the fight against anti-Semitism.’

Somewhat confusingly, the commission concluded that Anelka was guilty of an ‘aggravated breach’ of FA Rule E3(2) that includes ‘a reference to ethnic origin and/or race and/or religion or belief’, but the three-man panel ‘did not find that Anelka is an anti-Semite or that he intended to express or promote anti-Semitism by his use of the quenelle’.

An explanation will follow in the commission’s written report, which Anelka will study before deciding whether to appeal. But West Brom, who have already lost sponsors Zoopla — whose shareholders include DMG Media, a division of DMGT plc, which owns the Daily Mail and MailOnline — because of Anelka’s actions, made their position clear.

A statement said: ‘West Bromwich Albion notes that both charges were proven against Nicolas Anelka.

‘The club treats very seriously any 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.’

West Brom, who will still pay Anelka while he is suspended, take their inclusivity policy very seriously, in part because of their history with black players and secondly because of the multi-cultural area in which the Hawthorns is situated.

West Brom are battling relegation, and there is a sense that Anelka has let down his club in their hour of need.

As things stand he will miss next week’s clash against Manchester United, along with trips to Swansea and Hull, a home encounter with Cardiff City and a trip to Norwich City.

A five-match ban represented the minimum sanction under FA rules, even if Anelka must also attend a one-to-one ‘compulsory education course’ in discrimination.

Anelka has also been ordered to pay the costs of the two-and-a-half-day hearing at the Grove Hotel in Watford — costs that will be considerable given the involvement of three QCs.

In fairness to the FA, the quenelle represented uncharted territory and there was relief among officials that they won their case.

But the commission may struggle to defend their view that Anelka’s actions were not anti-Semitic.

Anelka has long claimed he was supporting his friend, the controversial comedian Dieudonne M’bala M’bala (left), who has adopted the quenelle in his act.

A statement from Anelka’s lawyers said: ‘Nicolas Anelka is pleased that the FA commission has found him not to be an anti-Semite and that he did not intend to express or promote anti-Semitism by his use of the quenelle gesture.

He is now waiting to receive the full reasons for the decision before considering whether or not to appeal.’

Vivian Wineman, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, welcomed the decision.

‘This supports the FA’s decision to invoke its own regulations after its report concluded that Mr Anelka’s gesture had anti-Semitic connotations and is highly offensive to Jews and right-minded members of the public,’ he said.

THE FA STATEMENT IN FULL

An Independent Regulatory Commission has found an aggravated breach of FA Rule E3 against Nicolas Anelka proven and has issued a five-match suspension and a fine of £80,000, pending appeal.

The West Bromwich Albion player has also been ordered to complete a compulsory education course.

The Independent Regulatory Commission will provide written reasons for its decision in due course.

Mr Anelka has the right to appeal the decision. Mr Anelka must notify The FA of his intention to appeal within seven days of receipt of the written reasons.

The penalty is suspended until after the outcome of any appeal, or the time for appealing expires, or Mr Anelka notifies The FA of his decision not to appeal.

Independent Regulatory Commission — summary of decision

1. This is a written statement of the decision of The FA Regulatory Commission (chaired by independent Counsel Christopher Quinlan QC, Thura KT Win, Peter Powell) that sat on 25 and 26 February 2014 to consider charges brought against the player Nicolas Anelka (FA Disciplinary Regulation 9.1).

2. Arising out of his conduct during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United FC and West Bromwich Albion FC on 28 December 2013 he was charged as follows:

a. In or around the 40th minute of the match he made a gesture (known as the ‘quenelle’) which was abusive and/or indecent and/or insulting and/or improper, contrary to FA Rule E3(1); and

b. That the misconduct was an “Aggravated Breach” as defined by FA Rule E3(2) in that it included a reference to ethnic origin and/or race and/or religion or belief.

3. He denied both charges.

4. The Regulatory Commission heard from the player, two expert witnesses and submissions from Leading Counsel for The FA and Nicolas Anelka.

5. Charge 1 – the Regulatory Commission found this Charge proved.

6. Charge 2 –

a. The Regulatory Commission found this Charge proved

b. So far as the basis for our finding on Charge 2 is concerned, we 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.

7. Sanction: having considered further submissions from Leading Counsel for The FA and Nicolas Anelka, the Regulatory Commission impose.

a. An immediate playing suspension from all club football until such time as West Bromwich Albion first team has completed five matches

b. Fined him £80,000

c. He will pay the costs of the hearing in full.

8. In consequence of the finding on Charge 2, the player will be subject to an education programme, the details of which will be provided to him by The FA (FA Rule 3(7)).

9. There is a right of appeal against this decision in accordance with FA regulations. Written reasons within the meaning of FA Disciplinary Regulation 9.3 will follow within seven days of the date of this written statement.

10. We order a stay of the five-match suspension pursuant to Regulation 8.11 of the Disciplinary Regulations until:

a. The expiry of seven-day period from receipt of our written reasons in which Mr Anelka has right of appeal against this decision, if no appeal is lodged during that period, or

b. Written notification to The FA of any decision by Mr Anelka not to appeal, if served prior to the expiry of period for appealing, or

c. The outcome of any appeal lodged by Mr Anelka against this decision, if an appeal is lodged during the period for appealing.

—Daily Mail