Anelka, Nasri, Quenelle and anti-semtism

[Cocacolajojo1]

Sorry if I've missed a thread on this but I was a bit surprised by this, having not read about before. I'm gonna guess that the FA and UEFA are going to make a grand stand on this and give Anelka a suspension for two games. That'll teach him!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/footba ... rance.html

Nicolas Anelka's 'quenelle' gesture in support of 'racist' friend Dieudonné causes outrage in France
French sports minister Valérie Fourneyron publishes a statement saying Nicolas Anelka's gesture was an “incitation to racial hatred and sickening”
No stranger to trouble: Nicolas Anelka will be investigated for using the 'reverse Nazi salute', allegedly to support his friend the controversial comendian Dieudonné

By Julien Laurens

12:01AM GMT 29 Dec 2013

Nicolas Anelka has never been far from controversy. Throughout his career, the French striker has too often made the headlines for the wrong reasons.

Yesterday, at Upton Park he added another offence to his back catalogue. The Parisian-born forward mixed football and politics and not for a pleasant protest song.

After his first goal in the 3-3 draw at West Ham, his first of the season for West Bromwich Albion this season, he celebrated with his right arm extended towards the ground, palm opened and the other one bent across his chest touching his right upper arm.

The gesture is known as the ‘Quenelle,’ labelled as a reversed Nazi salute and made famous a few years ago by the controversial Dieudonné, a French comedian from African background.

In the last few years, Dieudonné M’bala M’bala, his full name, has become an anti-Semitic activist and campaigner. Dieudonné used the Quenelle for the first time in 2009 when he was a candidate for the European elections at the helm of his own party, the anti-Zionist party, despite arguing that it was a generic anti-establishment symbol.

Yesterday, in the French newspaper Le Parisien, Manuel Valls, the French home secretary, called the comedian “racist and anti-Semitic who nobody finds funny anymore” and wants to ban all his shows throughout the country. The debate in France is blazing between the pro-Dieudonné and the anti-Dieudonné with politicians, celebrities and media opining.

Nicolas Anelka and, by proxy West Bromwich Albion, have added themselves to the controversy. The former Arsenal player, a converted Muslim, has always been a friend of Dieudonné. They have been photographed together in the past doing the Quenelle but it is the first time that he publicly backs one of his friend’s political position.

Dieudonné will welcome the publicity and once again Anelka has succumbed to provocation that sums up his personality and his career.

The French striker, unavailable for comment yesterday, could be asked by the FA to explain his action which caused such fury in France yesterday. Valérie Fourneyron, the Sports minister, published a statement saying it was an “incitation to racial hatred and sickening,” the reactions on social networks were a mix between outrage and indignation.

By his own standards, 2013 had been a quiet year for Nicolas Anelka, but yesterday he reminded everybody that he was still there and not just by scoring his first goal of the season for his team.

For some more anti-semitic humour: http://k00ls.overblog.com/2013/12/pour-ceux-qui-pr%C3%A9tendent-que-la-quenelle-n-est-pas-un-geste-antis%C3%A9mite.html

[Foreverinbluedreams]

Boîte De Pandore

[JamieMCFC]

Anelka defends gesture on Twitter


West Bromwich striker Nicolas Anelka claims there was no anti-Semitic intent behind his controversial gesture in the 3-3 draw with West Ham on Saturday.

After Anelka made the "quenelle" gesture -- interpreted by some as an inverted Nazi salute -- by putting his arm across his body. The FA is looking into the incident which could see the former France international facing a possible five-match ban should he be found guilty of a racial abuse under tough new rules brought in last May.

However, on Sunday, Anelka again insisted the gesture was merely a tribute to his friend, French comedian Dieudonne M’bala M’bala.

[tweet]417324747823648768[/tweet]

"(The) meaning of quenelle: anti-system," he wrote. "I do not know what the word ‘religion’ has to do with this story! This is a dedication to Dieudonné. With regard to the ministers who give their own interpretations of my quenelle, they are the ones that create confusion and controversy without knowing what it really means, this gesture.

"I ask people not to be duped by the media. And of course, I am neither racist nor anti-Semitic and I fully assume (stand by) my gesture.”

West Brom head coach Keith Downing had said after the game that the allegations against Anelka were “absolute rubbish”.

“I'm aware of it but it has got nothing to do with what is being said,” Downing said when asked about the gesture. “It is dedicated to a French comedian he knows very, very well. He uses it in his act and I think speculation can be stopped now -- it is absolute rubbish really.

“He is totally unaware of what the problems were or the speculation that has been thrown around. He is totally surprised by it.”

[Bianchi on Ice]

This is outrageous. I mean.."french comedian?" didnt think there were any. Jean reno had some amusing lines in godzilla though ;-)

[Twobob]

Would a footballer voicing his support for Zionism be investigated for racial hatred and supporting removal of Palestinians?

These are things that footballers and football should not be getting involved with stupid hand gestures that anyone can decide if they're offensive or not - support your beliefs by proper means not stupid pictures and displays or stupidity, and as this is a football forum i'm restraining myself.

[Cocacolajojo1]

Anelka defends gesture on Twitter


West Bromwich striker Nicolas Anelka claims there was no anti-Semitic intent behind his controversial gesture in the 3-3 draw with West Ham on Saturday.

After Anelka made the "quenelle" gesture -- interpreted by some as an inverted Nazi salute -- by putting his arm across his body. The FA is looking into the incident which could see the former France international facing a possible five-match ban should he be found guilty of a racial abuse under tough new rules brought in last May.

However, on Sunday, Anelka again insisted the gesture was merely a tribute to his friend, French comedian Dieudonne M’bala M’bala.

[tweet]417324747823648768[/tweet]

"(The) meaning of quenelle: anti-system," he wrote. "I do not know what the word ‘religion’ has to do with this story! This is a dedication to Dieudonné. With regard to the ministers who give their own interpretations of my quenelle, they are the ones that create confusion and controversy without knowing what it really means, this gesture.

"I ask people not to be duped by the media. And of course, I am neither racist nor anti-Semitic and I fully assume (stand by) my gesture.”

West Brom head coach Keith Downing had said after the game that the allegations against Anelka were “absolute rubbish”.

“I'm aware of it but it has got nothing to do with what is being said,” Downing said when asked about the gesture. “It is dedicated to a French comedian he knows very, very well. He uses it in his act and I think speculation can be stopped now -- it is absolute rubbish really.

“He is totally unaware of what the problems were or the speculation that has been thrown around. He is totally surprised by it.”

Yeah I know. Downing's a clown for saying that and obviously hadn't done his homework before talking to the press.

[Cocacolajojo1]

Would a footballer voicing his support for Zionism be investigated for racial hatred and supporting removal of Palestinians?

These are things that footballers and football should not be getting involved with stupid hand gestures that anyone can decide if they're offensive or not - support your beliefs by proper means not stupid pictures and displays or stupidity, and as this is a football forum i'm restraining myself.

Mate.... What? So racism in footbal is ok because we are not supposed to talk about it?

[Twobob]

Mate.... What? So racism in footbal is ok because we are not supposed to talk about it?

Mate, don't be a tool i didn't say that and you know full well.

If they have anti-zionist views due to their religious, cultural or moral beliefs then give support to Palestinian aid charities etc - make a positive contribution.

If the hand gesture is racist (first time I've ever seen or heard of it) then NO they should not be doing it which is exactly what i said! football has no place for stupid hand gestures that can be interpreted in this way, specifically if this one is already causing shit storms in France.

[Cocacolajojo1]

Mate.... What? So racism in footbal is ok because we are not supposed to talk about it?

Mate, don't be a tool i didn't say that and you know full well.

If they have anti-zionist views due to their religious, cultural or moral beliefs then give support to Palestinian aid charities etc - make a positive contribution.

If the hand gesture is racist (first time I've ever seen or heard of it) then NO they should not be doing it which is exactly what i said! football has no place for stupid hand gestures that can be interpreted in this way, specifically if this one is already causing shit storms in France.

A tool I am!

This is the second time I've misinterpreted you completely. Sorry. From now on I'm just gonna go ahead and assume we're always in agreement!

The pic from Auschwitz is probably the most tasteless. To be an arse is one thing, to have an opinion of an arse is another but to actually go to fucking Auschwitz and make that hand-sign and claim it's anti-establishment....

Well, noone seems to bother but me and Twobob. Let's move on. Anelka will probably get a strong worded letter and it will be done and dusted. If I were Jewish, I wouldn't ask Nasri for an autograph though.

[Twobob]

A tool I am! This is the second time I've misinterpreted you completely. Sorry. From now on I'm just gonna go ahead and assume we're always in agreement! The pic from Auschwitz is probably the most tasteless. To be an arse is one thing, to have an opinion of an arse is another but to actually go to fucking Auschwitz and make that hand-sign and claim it's anti-establishment.... Well, noone seems to bother but me and Twobob. Let's move on. Anelka will probably get a strong worded letter and it will be done and dusted. If I were Jewish, I wouldn't ask Nasri for an autograph though.

To be fair, calling you a tool was out of order, sorry, we'll kiss and make up, but I certainly don't support racism and nazi's are just scum of the earth and make my blood boil.

Never assume we're in agreement please, most of the time i mutter bullshit and I do enjoy a good argument and debate ;-)

Will PM you mate, as I said its a football forum and i'll keep tact.

Anelka should receive a ban, he should certainly receive a fine. Nasri needs to be very careful! Disappointed in him for jumping on this bandwagon - anyone associating Auschwitz with their own political agenda no matter on the cause or reason needs to be seriously sorted out and people in thier position should not be associating themselves with that kind of propaganda - seems very naive of him at best.

[Blue Since 76]

If I were Jewish, I wouldn't ask Nasri for an autograph though.

Where does Nasri come into this? I've seen the bit about Anelka but haven't seen anything about Nasri, so have I missed something?

EDIT - was reading this on the app so couldn't see the photos. Just looked on a browser. WTF is that about? Who is he with? Is that the 'comedian'?


As for Anelka, at best, it was an idiotic thing to do. Whether racist, anti-Semitic or just in support of a friend, if he wants to do it, do it in an interview or on Twitter etc. People can then make their own opinion and the authorities can deal with anything, if necessary. But why drag West Brom and football in general into it? Trying to prove whether it was stupid or racist will be extremely difficult and will leave a bad taste whatever. If he is found guilty, I hope West Brom sack him and FIFA back it up to avoid him moving wherever he wants

[Blue Since 76]

PS Sums up the mentality that they can't work out which arm to do it with.

My previous comment about Anelka stands for Nasri as well - if guilty he should be sacked and banned - he didn't do it on the pitch but did it in front of the City crest.

[Fidel Castro]

So is it anti- establishment?
Anti-zionism?
Or anti-Judaism? (Islam and Christianity are also semitic)

Nobody seems to know.

The first two, then what is the fuss about? If it is aimed at Jews specifically, then it's obviously out of order.

[Alioune DVToure]

So is it anti- establishment?
Anti-zionism?
Or anti-Judaism? (Islam and Christianity are also semitic)

Nobody seems to know.

The first two, then what is the fuss about? If it is aimed at Jews specifically, then it's obviously out of order.

If it's a reference to the Nazi salute on any level, it's disgraceful. But why would a black Muslim man want to pay such a homage? Baffling.

[Blue Since 76]

If it's a reference to the Nazi salute on any level, it's disgraceful. But why would a black Muslim man want to pay such a homage? Baffling.

Well the Nazis weren't after black Muslims. They're just too thick to work out what would have happened once the Jews, gays and communists were gone.

[patrickblue]

If it's a reference to the Nazi salute on any level, it's disgraceful. But why would a black Muslim man want to pay such a homage? Baffling.

Well the Nazis weren't after black Muslims. They're just too thick to work out what would have happened once the Jews, gays and communists were gone.

The Jesse Owens incident should have given him a clue.

[Fidel Castro]

Well the Nazis weren't after black Muslims. They're just too thick to work out what would have happened once the Jews, gays and communists were gone.

Who's too thick? Black Muslims?

[BlueinBosnia]

If it's a reference to the Nazi salute on any level, it's disgraceful. But why would a black Muslim man want to pay such a homage? Baffling.

Well the Nazis weren't after black Muslims. They're just too thick to work out what would have happened once the Jews, gays and communists were gone.

A piss-poor film industry?

[DoomMerchant]

Who's too thick? Black Muslims?

You know what they say....once you go Black Muslim etc...

[Fidel Castro]

If it's a reference to the Nazi salute on any level, it's disgraceful. But why would a black Muslim man want to pay such a homage? Baffling.

Is it though? Shearer's celebration looked vaguely like a Nazi salute? As did Benjani's. Maybe in reference to Mugabe?