Top 5 controversial gestures by footballers

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West Bromwich Albion striker Nicolas Anelka’s goal celebration has ruffled many feathers

West Brom striker Nicolas Anelka kicked up a storm when people accused the Frenchman of being anti-semitic after he celebrated his goals against West Ham United in a controversial manner. The 34-year-old scored a brace in the Baggies’s 3-3 draw against West Ham United but his brilliance was shadowed by his unusual celebration.

The celebration drew a lot of flak because it seemed that the striker was doing a reverse Nazi salute. The former Chelsea man stated that he was only supporting his comedian friend Dieudonne but could face a 5-game ban for his actions.

Here is a list of previous gestures made by footballers that made headlines.

5. Luis Suarez vs Fulham

Suarez has always made headlines for his actions

The prolific forward is no stranger to controversy and has been in the headlines numerous times for his unprofessional behavior. The striker was pictured giving the finger to Fulham fans on 7th December 2011 after being constantly jeered by them. The 26-year-old was accused of cheating and diving in the match against the Cottagers and was booed every-time he touched the ball. Suarez was already under fire as he was accused of racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra that year and the finger gesture only made matters worse for the Uruguayan.

4. Wayne Rooney vs Chelsea

Rooney has been in hot water for some of his actions

The Englishman had got into trouble for showing the ‘V’ sign to Chelsea supporters on 9th May 2011. The striker resorted to showing the vulgar gesture to Blues supporters after they aggravated him in the first half. Rooney, who has a hot temper, then showed the V sign as he was walking towards the tunnel in the break. The FA criticized the striker for his behavior but ultimately did not take action against him.

3. Rio Ferdinand vs Real Madrid

Ferdinand pictured sarcastically applauding the referee in the game against Real Madrid

The Red Devils center back sarcastically applauded Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir for his decision to send off Nani in the 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid in March this year. The 35-year-old is known to be an outspoken player and made his feeling clear to the referee at the end of the game. The UEFA ordered a probe into the incident but Ferdinand got off with a warning.

2. Jack Wilshere vs Manchester City

WIlshere was also on the wrong side of the FA

The Arsenal midfielder was recently found guilty of showing Manchester City fans the finger in his teams 6-3 defeat at the Etihad on the 14th of December. The 21-year-old was slapped with a 2 game ban by the FA and missed the games against Chelsea and West Ham United as a result of his actions. The player took to social networking site Twitter to defend himself and said that he had showed the finger to the home teams fans because they were abusing his children.

1. Joey Barton vs Liverpool

Barton and trouble have always gotten along

Barton drew a lot of flak for making a gesture to Fernando Torres who was then with Liverpool back in 2011. The controversial midfielder caused a confrontation with Torres after repeatedly making crotch gestures towards the player in Newcastle’s 3-1 victory over Liverpool. Barton, who was on the scoresheet in the game, caused further trouble when he reportedly called Torres a f*****g poof when the Spaniard confronted him.