Nicolas Anelka has defended his infamous quenelle gesture and claimed that if it makes him anti-Semitic then "all priests are paedophiles and all Muslims are terrorists."
Anelka was banned for five matches and fined £80,000 in February for his celebration after he scored for West Brom in their 3-3 Premier League draw at West Ham in December. The Baggies sacked him last month.
The French striker claimed his reaction was dedicated to French comedian Dieudonné M'bala M'bala, who established the action and is linked to anti-Semitism and extremism.
Anelka's fraught English football career ended in disgrace
M'bala M'bala is banned from entering British shores, however Anelka claims his action was "very misunderstood".
Anelka told Metro News: "I have no record of racism or anti-Semitism, there is no evidence to support it, not even a shred of evidence… I have never had a problem with the Jewish community, and besides why would I have? There are so many questions and no answers.
"At some point we must stop being paranoid and believing that we are all at war. The people who wrote the headlines do not know my life."
Anelka claimed it is wrong to stereotype those who make the gesture when M'bala M'Bala himself denies it is anti-Semitic. Yet he also described the gesture as "vulgar".
"Because some people have performed [the quenelle] in front of a synagogue, then the gesture is suddenly meant to be racist and anti-Semitic in any place and in any situation?
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)
"Sorry, I'm not swallowing that. I've tried to swallow it but it won't go down. So if I understand correctly, all priests are paedophiles and all Muslims are terrorists? For me, it's the same principle.
"If this continues, the people who decide that the quenelle is racist will soon ban us from eating pineapples!
"It is a vulgar gesture, I grant you. There was never any religious intent on my part… I am neither racist nor anti-Semitic and this quenelle was a simple dedication."