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- Aug 2, 2010
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Nicolas Anelka could have chosen to pay respect to Nelson Mandela. Instead, he chose Dieudonne M'bala M'bala.
To celebrate his first goal in England since August 20, 2011, West Brom's French striker decided to express his support and friendship for a French so-called humorist by doing the provocative hand gesture, la quenelle.
Anelka has tried to portray his actions as an innocent anti-establishment action but just think about the timing.
Anelka performing a 'quenelle'
Nasri picture appeared on Twitter the following day
City midfielder knew nothing of anti-Semitic or political connotations
This story was headline news in the French media on the morning of West Brom's match against West Ham, which was shown live on Canal+ in France.
In the past two days, the vast majority of the French public have expressed disgust at his actions but a minority of French citizens still believe la quenelle is anti-Zionist - and not anti-Semitic. These people have used the internet and Twitter to paint Dieudonne and Anelka as victims of the political and media worlds.
WHAT IS 'LA QUENELLE'?
When West Brom striker Nicolas Anelka scored the first of his two goals in Saturday's 3-3 Premier League draw at West Ham, he celebrated by making a gesture largely unfamiliar to fans of English football.
But the salute, known in France as 'la quenelle', is the subject of a fierce national debate that has reached the French interior ministry and stands accused of sparking a spate of attacks across Anelka's homeland.
Here, we explore the origins of the controversial gesture and the motives of its self-proclaimed inventor, the stand-up comedian and political activist Dieudonne M'Bala M'Bala:
Read more: Nicolas Anelka could have honoured Nelson Mandela, but he chose Dieudonne M'Bala M'Bala in an act that scars France | Mail Online
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
To celebrate his first goal in England since August 20, 2011, West Brom's French striker decided to express his support and friendship for a French so-called humorist by doing the provocative hand gesture, la quenelle.
Anelka has tried to portray his actions as an innocent anti-establishment action but just think about the timing.
Anelka performing a 'quenelle'
Nasri picture appeared on Twitter the following day
City midfielder knew nothing of anti-Semitic or political connotations
Image also emerges of NBA star Tony Parker performing a 'quenelle'
After a video emerged of the incident, the French government issued a statement saying it would take every legal action possible to ban Dieudonne's shows and public meetings in the future.
This story was headline news in the French media on the morning of West Brom's match against West Ham, which was shown live on Canal+ in France.
In the past two days, the vast majority of the French public have expressed disgust at his actions but a minority of French citizens still believe la quenelle is anti-Zionist - and not anti-Semitic. These people have used the internet and Twitter to paint Dieudonne and Anelka as victims of the political and media worlds.
WHAT IS 'LA QUENELLE'?
When West Brom striker Nicolas Anelka scored the first of his two goals in Saturday's 3-3 Premier League draw at West Ham, he celebrated by making a gesture largely unfamiliar to fans of English football.
But the salute, known in France as 'la quenelle', is the subject of a fierce national debate that has reached the French interior ministry and stands accused of sparking a spate of attacks across Anelka's homeland.
Here, we explore the origins of the controversial gesture and the motives of its self-proclaimed inventor, the stand-up comedian and political activist Dieudonne M'Bala M'Bala:
- 'Quenelle' means 'scoop' or 'dumpling' and is performed by holding one arm straight by one's side while touching that arm's shoulder with the opposite hand.
- It has been described by its critics as a 'Nazi salute in reverse' and, thusly, as an expression of anti-Semitism.
- Forty-seven-year-old M'Bala M'Bala, who goes by the stage name of Dieudonne, has turned the 'quenelle' into something of a viral trend since first performing it four years ago.
- Once a committed anti-racism campaigner, Dieudonne has since been linked to the political far right in France.
- French interior minister Manuel Valls is considering banning all public performances by the comedian. In the wake of Anelka's public use of the gesture, which the player stated was simply a 'special dedication' to his good friend Dieudonne, French minister for sport Valerie Fourneyron described his actions as 'shocking' and 'disgusting'.
- Anelka has previously been photographed performing the gesture alongside Dieudonne but Saturday's events brought the debate to England while provoking further outrage and debate in France, where the match was televised.
- Dieudonne, who has past convictions for making anti-Semitic remarks, insists the 'quenelle' is merely 'an anti-establishment gesture' but his critics are concerned about its motivation.
- When Dieudonne insulted Jewish radio presenter Patrick Cohen this week, French interior minister Manuel Valls vowed to use any legal means necessary to ban any future public appearances by the comedian. Valls told newspaper Le Parisien: 'Dieudonne has been repeatedly condemned for defamation, insult and incitement to racial hatred. He is a repeat offender and I intend to act with the greatest firmness, under the law.'
- The English Football Association is considering opening an investigation into the possible connotations of the salute. FIFA rules state: '1. a) Anyone who offends the dignity of a person or group of persons through contemptuous, discriminatory or denigratory words or actions concerning race, colour, language, religion or origin shall be suspended for at least five matches. Furthermore, a stadium ban and a fine of at least CHF 20,000 shall be imposed. If the perpetrator is an official, the fine shall be at least CHF 30,000.'
Read more: Nicolas Anelka could have honoured Nelson Mandela, but he chose Dieudonne M'Bala M'Bala in an act that scars France | Mail Online
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
