West Brom striker Nicolas Anelka has defended his controversial goal celebration during Saturday's 3-3 Premier League draw with West Ham.
The Frenchman could face a Football Association charge over his reaction to the first of his two Baggies goals on his return to the starting line-up for the first time in over two months.
During the 34-year-old's celebration for his first strike, which levelled the game following Joe Cole's effort for the Hammers, Anelka seemingly performed the quenelle salute made famous by French comedian Dieudonne. The gesture has been linked to anti-Semitism in his homeland.
Anelka's celebration prompted outrage in his homeland
After West Brom caretaker manager Keith Downing said Anelka had been "surprised" by the resulting outcry, the player on Saturday night claimed the salute had simply been made as a "special dedication" to his friend.
"This gesture was just a special dedication to my comedian friend Dieudonne," he tweeted in both French and English on his official account.
However, the French minister for sport Valerie Fourneyron had earlier condemned the gesture on Twitter, describing it as "shocking" and "disgusting".
Anelka vs West Ham
FBL-ENG-PR-WEST HAM-WEST BROM(01 of25)
West Bromwich Albion's French striker Nicolas Anelka gestures as he celebrates scoring their first goal during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at The Boleyn Ground, Upton Park in east London on December 28, 2013. The game finished 3-3. AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTONRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-WEST HAM-WEST BROM(02 of25)
West Bromwich Albion's French striker Nicolas Anelka (C) gestures as he celebrates scoring their first goal during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at The Boleyn Ground, Upton Park in east London on December 28, 2013. The game finished 3-3. AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTONRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-WEST HAM-WEST BROM(03 of25)
West Bromwich Albion's French striker Nicolas Anelka gestures as he celebrates scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at The Boleyn Ground, Upton Park in east London on December 28, 2013. The game finished 3-3. AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTONRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-WEST HAM-WEST BROM(04 of25)
West Bromwich Albion's French striker Nicolas Anelka gestures as he celebrates scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at The Boleyn Ground, Upton Park in east London on December 28, 2013. The game finished 3-3. AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTONRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-WEST HAM-WEST BROM(05 of25)
West Bromwich Albion's French striker Nicolas Anelka (2nd L) gestures as he celebrates scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at The Boleyn Ground, Upton Park in east London on December 28, 2013. The game finished 3-3. AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTONRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-WEST HAM-WEST BROM(06 of25)
West Bromwich Albion's French striker Nicolas Anelka gestures as he celebrates scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at The Boleyn Ground, Upton Park in east London on December 28, 2013. The game finished 3-3. AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTONRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-WEST HAM-WEST BROM(07 of25)
West Bromwich Albion's French striker Nicolas Anelka gestures as he celebrates scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at The Boleyn Ground, Upton Park in east London on December 28, 2013. The game finished 3-3. AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTONRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-WEST HAM-WEST BROM(08 of25)
West Bromwich Albion's French striker Nicolas Anelka runs with the ball during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at The Boleyn Ground, Upton Park in east London on December 28, 2013. The game finished 3-3. AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTONRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-WEST HAM-WEST BROM(09 of25)
West Bromwich Albion's French striker Nicolas Anelka looks on during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at The Boleyn Ground, Upton Park in east London on December 28, 2013. The game finished 3-3. AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTONRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-WEST HAM-WEST BROM(10 of25)
West Bromwich Albion's French striker Nicolas Anelka runs with the ball during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at The Boleyn Ground, Upton Park in east London on December 28, 2013. The game finished 3-3. AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTONRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
West Ham United v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League(11 of25)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Nicolas Anelka of West Brom touches his sleeve as he celebrates scoring their first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at Boleyn Ground on December 28, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
West Ham United v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League(12 of25)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Nicolas Anelka of West Brom touches his sleeve as he celebrates scoring their first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at Boleyn Ground on December 28, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-WEST HAM-WEST BROM(13 of25)
\West Ham United's Northern Irish defender George McCartney (L) vies with West Bromwich Albion's French striker Nicolas Anelka during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at The Boleyn Ground, Upton Park in east London on December 28, 2013. The game finished 3-3. AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTONRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
West Ham United v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League(14 of25)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Mohamed Diame of West Ham and Nicolas Anelka of West Brom go up for a header during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at Boleyn Ground on December 28, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
West Ham United v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League(15 of25)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Nicolas Anelka of West Brom celebrates scoring their first goal with Saido Berahino of West Brom during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at Boleyn Ground on December 28, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-WEST HAM-WEST BROM(16 of25)
West Ham United's Irish defender Joey O'Brien vies with West Bromwich Albion's French striker Nicolas Anelka (R) during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at The Boleyn Ground, Upton Park in east London on December 28, 2013. The game finished 3-3. AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTONRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
West Ham United v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League(17 of25)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Nicolas Anelka of West Brom scores their first goal past Jussi Jaaskelainen of West Ham during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at Boleyn Ground on December 28, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
West Ham United v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League(18 of25)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Nicolas Anelka of West Brom celebrates scoring their first goal with with team mates during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at Boleyn Ground on December 28, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
West Ham United v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League(19 of25)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Nicolas Anelka of West Brom scores their first goal past Jussi Jaaskelainen of West Ham during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at Boleyn Ground on December 28, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
West Ham United v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League(20 of25)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Nicolas Anelka of West Brom celebrates scoring their first goal with Chris Brunt of West Brom during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at Boleyn Ground on December 28, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-WEST HAM-WEST BROM(21 of25)
West Bromwich Albion's French striker Nicolas Anelka (L) scores his second goal during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at The Boleyn Ground, Upton Park in east London on December 28, 2013. AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTONRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
West Ham United v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League(22 of25)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Nicolas Anelka of West Brom scores their second goal past Jussi Jaaskelainen of West Ham during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at Boleyn Ground on December 28, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
West Ham United v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League(23 of25)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Nicolas Anelka of West Brom scores their second goal past Jussi Jaaskelainen of West Ham during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at Boleyn Ground on December 28, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
West Ham United v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League(24 of25)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Nicolas Anelka of West Brom scores their second goal past Jussi Jaaskelainen of West Ham during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at Boleyn Ground on December 28, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-WEST HAM-WEST BROM(25 of25)
West Bromwich Albion's French striker Nicolas Anelka (2nd L) celebrates scoring their first goal with West Bromwich Albion's English defender Liam Ridgewell (L) during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at The Boleyn Ground, Upton Park in east London on December 28, 2013. AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTONRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
She wrote: "Anelka's gesture is a shocking provocation, disgusting. There's no place for anti-Semitism and incitement to hatred on the football field."
Interim Baggies boss Downing was quick to defend Anelka.
"I'm aware of it but it has got nothing to do with what is being said," Downing replied when asked about the gesture. "It is dedicated to a French comedian he knows very, very well. He uses it in his act and I think speculation can be stopped now, it is absolute rubbish really.
"He is totally unaware of what the problems were or the speculation that has been thrown around, he is totally surprised by it."