After scoring the first of his two goals in a 3-3 draw at West Ham on Saturday, Anelka performed a salute used by French comedian Dieudonne M'bala M'bala that is widely known as "la quenelle."

It involves pointing one straightened arm downward while touching that arm's shoulder with the opposite hand, and is seen by many as a Nazi salute in reverse.

West Brom coach Keith Downing said the former France international was "totally surprised" by the reaction to the gesture.

"It is dedicated to a French comedian he knows very, very well," Downing said of Anelka's celebration. "He uses it in his act and I think speculation (that it is anti-Semitic) can be stopped now, it is absolute rubbish really.

"He (Anelka) is totally unaware of what the problems were or the speculation that has been thrown around."

However, Valerie Fourneyron, France's sports minister, said on Twitter: "Anelka's gesture is a shocking, disgusting provocation. No place for anti-Semitism and incitement to hatred on the football field."

Dr. Moshe Kantor, president of the European Jewish Congress, said it was "sickening that such a well-known footballer would make such an abusive and hateful gesture in front of tens of thousands of spectators."

"This salute is merely a lesser-known Nazi salute and we expect the same kind of punishment to be handed down by the authorities as if Anelka had made the infamous outstretched arm salute.

"This salute was created by a well-known extreme anti-Semite who has displayed his hatred of Jews, mocked the Holocaust and Jewish suffering."

The English Football Association said it look into the incident.

Jewish groups have complained to French President Francois Hollande about Dieudonne's trademark gesture, which they have linked to anti-Semitic incidents in France. The French government is considering ways to ban performances by the comedian, who is a friend of Anelka.

The salute has been defended as an anti-establishment gesture.


CL PROSPECTS TO DETERMINE SUAREZ FUTURE


Liverpool surprised some by sealing a new contract for Luis Suarez earlier in December. While the deal looks set to ensure that the in-form forward will stick around in January to spearhead the club's charge for a return to the Champions League, his future beyond that remains a source of serious doubt.

The Uruguayan's new terms include a buyout clause in the region of 75 million euros, which can only be triggered by clubs outside England.

It is the direct result of Suarez's determined desire to play Champions League football next season, whether it be for the Reds or anyone else who can provide it. For Liverpool, it provides assurances that Premier League rivals cannot force a deal against their wishes.

Real Madrid is by far the most likely destination. As Goal revealed, the Spanish giant has made Suarez its No.1 transfer target for 2014 and intends to spare no expense to get its man.

The striker had his head turned last summer by los Blancos' interest and would welcome it again should Brendan Rodgers's side miss out on the top four, which skipper Steven Gerrard admits is likely to be the deciding factor in the talisman's future.

Arsenal made a concerted effort to poach Suarez in the summer, making a bid north of 40 million pounds that was rejected, but has now ended its interest after it was made crystal-clear that the Reds would not countenance a sale to title rivals.


FABREGAS: I WORK HARD


Barcelona ace Cesc Fabregas admits that he is annoyed by accusations that he is lazy.

The former Arsenal captain has yet to nail down a regular position in the Blaugrana lineup since returning to Catalunya in 2011 and is regularly switched between midfield and attack.

Consequently, Fabregas, who has hit seven goals in La Liga this season, is upset by the perception within the media and among certain sections of the Camp Nou crowd that he does not work hard enough for the team.

"I know I have that reputation and it annoys me, because I don't stop moving around the whole pitch," he told AS. "Perhaps too much, because by moving so much it seems like I'm nowhere."

Contributors: George Ankers, SW Lim, The Associated Press