Nicolas Anelka: On the Record

Footballer Nicolas Anelka was banned and fined by the English FA for an antisemitism-linked gesture.

On the record

• Dec. 28, 2013 — Performed the “quenelle” gesture (associated with antisemitism) as a goal celebration; the English FA found an aggravated breach referencing ethnic origin/religion and banned him five matches and fined him £80,000. [The FA] [Al Jazeera]

The context

Anelka denied antisemitic intent, calling the gesture “anti-system.” The FA nonetheless found it an aggravated, antisemitism-linked breach.

Where Galil stands

Our opinion: The sport’s own governing body ruled the gesture crossed into antisemitism. We’ll defer to the referee on this one.

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Facts here are documented public statements and actions, sourced and linked, current as of July 2026. Everything under “Where Galil stands” is our opinion. Believe a factual claim is wrong? Email us and we’ll review and correct it.