So yes Aled, it was meant in an offensive manner and not been taken the wrong way....How Anelka has escaped with such a small ban, I don't know.
Messrs Christopher Quinlan QC, Thura KT Win and Peter Powell, the members of the Independent Regulatory Committee would beg to differ
'we did not find that Nicolas Anelka is an Anti-Semite or that he intended to express or promote Anti-Semitism by his use of the quenelle'
As would
Simon Johnson, interim chief executive of the Jewish Leadership Council
'The conviction of Nicolas Anelka is a welcome outcome. It demonstrates that the FA’s processes are robust enough to deal with the most pernicious of racism cases.
All those of us dedicated to defeating racism and discrimination throughout sport can take great confidence that, when put to the test, football’s anti-racism procedures stood up to the challenge'
and Vivian Wineman, chairman of the Jewish Leadership Council and president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, who
'believes the punishment handed down by the Football Association on Thursday will help to put across a strong anti-racist message.
And Wineman congratulated the FA's decision, believing it sends out a strong message about the salute's connotations.
"It's a sign of success for all decent people," he told
Perform.
"This isn't an issue for the Jewish community particularly, it's an issue for everybody who's against anti-Semitism - which should be all decent people.
It's an anti-Semitic gesture and it's got to be stamped on and this verdict by this tribunal does exactly that and it's good.
He's said he's not anti-Semitic. That's fine, we hear that.
It sends out a pretty powerful message. It's a five-match ban an £80,000 fine and he's having to go on an anti-Semitism awareness course so it's a pretty strong message that's been sent out.
We obviously welcome it."
His comments were echoed by representatives from the Community Security Trust and Maccabi UK.