5 of the most controversial goal celebrations in football

#3 Nicolas Anelka

Nicolas Anelka was accused of anti-Semitism after his use of this gesture in celebration

French striker Nicolas Anelka was no stranger to controversy throughout his career, whether it was due to forcing a move from Arsenal to Real Madrid in his early days or the incident that saw him sent home from the 2010 World Cup after verbally abusing manager Raymond Domenech. However, the most controversial moment of his playing time certainly came when he celebrated a goal for West Bromwich Albion in a strange manner in 2013.

Anelka celebrated one of his two goals in a 3-3 draw with West Ham with a gesture known as the ‘Quenelle’, apparently devised by a friend of Anelka’s, French comedian Dieudonne M’bala M’bala. Unfortunately, while M’bala M’bala claimed the gesture was an “anti-establishment” one, it has also been linked with anti-Semitism and has been described as an “inverted Nazi salute”.

Not only did Anelka find himself in trouble – slapped with a five-match ban and an £80,000 fine by the Football Association – but despite suspending the player until the outcome of a club inquiry, West Brom also found themselves in trouble too, losing the sponsorship of Zoopla, who are co-owned by a Jewish businessman.

For his part, Anelka denied that he was anti-Semitic – but despite the FA agreeing, it was hard to defend the French striker.