Anelka banned for "Quenelle" gesture, but what exactly is it ?

In trouble

West Brom striker Nicolas Anelka has been charged by the FA over the controversial “quenelle” gesture.

The FA stated: “The FA has charged the West Bromwich Albion player Nicolas Anelka following an incident that occurred during the West Ham United versus West Bromwich Albion fixture at the Boleyn Ground on 28 December 2013.”

“It is alleged that, in the 40th minute of the fixture, Anelka made a gesture which was abusive and/or indecent and/or insulting and/or improper, contrary to FA Rule E3[1].”

The gesture has been branded as a “Nazi salute in reverse” by Jewish organizations, but it was started by a French political activist and comedian Dieudonné M’bala M’bala.

The name quenelle comes from an elongated fish meatballs dish, which is said to look like a suppository. Hence, the phrase “mettre une quenelle” (“to give someone the quenelle “), with a gesture simulating fisting practice, is similar to the English “up yours”. The arm outstretched refers to the length of the arm going up one’s bottom.

This isn’t the 1st time that a player has used the gesture. In November 2013 a photograph of French footballer Mamadou Sakho performing the quenelle with Dieudonné was released. Sakho did say later he had been tricked into making a quenelle without knowing its actual meaning.

San Antonio Spurs’ basketball player Tony Parker was seen performing the quenelle alongside Dieudonné. Parker apologized, saying he didn’t know at the time that “it could be in any way offensive or harmful”.

Tony Parker’s quenelle gesture