EPL West Brom striker Nicolas Anelka has challenged the FA’s decision to charge him over his quenelle gesture, using a Facebook post to call on the English governing body to "kindly lift the charges alleged" against him, according to Mark Cue of the LONDON TIMES. The West Bromwich Albion striker insisted again that he is "neither anti-Semitic nor racist" and questioned the interpretation of the academic expert the FA had consulted during the three-and-a-half weeks officials spent deliberating on the matter before delivering a charge for an "aggravated breach" of regulations Tuesday. Anelka cited Representative Council of French Jewish Institutions (CRIF) President Roger Cukierman, who has stated that "Anelka’s quenelle is not anti-Semitic and that he should not be heavily punished" (LONDON TIMES, 1/22). In London, John Percy reported Anelka has always maintained the gesture was intended as "anti-system" and he is believed to have appointed his own lawyer as he considers his options. If, as now expected, he contests the charge, this may add another several weeks onto the disciplinary process, "but the FA is determined to ensure a swift resolution and avoid the prospect of a long-running case similar to the Luis Suarez race row" (TELEGRAPH, 1/22). REUTERS' Mike Collett wrote Anelka "wants to call a witness who is an expert in French language and culture who is living in France to put his gesture in context for the FA." Anelka wrote, "It would be legitimate that this expert be French, living in France, so he could have an exact knowledge of my gesture." Many other groups, however, "take a much harsher view calling for Anelka to be banned for longer than just five matches." Board of Deputies of British Jews VP Jonathan Arkush said, "I know under the rules that on a first-time offense there is a minimum five-game suspension. But I think what he did was sufficiently serious to justify a longer suspension than five matches. He has not indicated one bit of remorse or regret or apologized for his actions. He has simply said he wouldn't do it again and that is not good enough" (REUTERS, 1/22).
