Anti-Semitic French comedian Dieudonne M’bala M’bala’s quenelle salute, a gesture which includes extending one’s arm downward while touching the shoulder above, continues to generate controversy. It has been seen around the world, performed by Dieudonne’s fans and supporters, as well as famous athletes, and decried by critics as mimicking the Nazi sieg heil salute. Most recently, it made headlines when French-born soccer player Nicolas Anelka was charged by the Football Association with making “a gesture which was abusive and/or indecent and/or insulting and/or improper” for using it to celebrate a goal in a December 28 game. Additionally, West Bromwich Albion’s sponsor, Zoopla, has opted to drop its sponsorship of the team in the wake of Anelka’s actions.
On December 28, 2013, Anelka scored a goal against West Ham, celebrating with the controversial gesture. When confronted after the game, he claimed the gesture was anti-establishment, not anti-Semitic. He agreed not to repeat the move, but refused to apologize. Zoopla, which sponsors Anelka’s soccer team, threatened to discontinue its support for the team, to the tune of $4.93 million US, if Anelka played in Monday’s game against Everton in the Premier League. The team opted to play Anelka anyway, and the company publicized its decision to discontinue its relationship with the team.
“Zoopla has been reviewing its position over the past few weeks in light of the actions of striker, Nicolas Anelka, during the match against West Ham over the Christmas period and has decided to focus its attention on other marketing activities after this season,” the company said Monday in a statement. It has promised to honor its charitable commitments until the current contract with West Bromwich Albion expires, but will not be renewing the agreement.
The FA has been accused of dragging its feet in dealing with Anelka, but finally brought charges against him on Tuesday. According to a statement issued by the association, “It is alleged that, in the 40th minute of the fixture, Anelka made a gesture which was abusive and/or indecent and/or insulting and/or improper, contrary to FA Rule E3[1].
“It is further alleged that this is an aggravated breach, as defined in FA Rule E3[2], in that it included a reference to ethnic origin and/or race and/or religion or belief.
“Anelka has until 6pm on 23 January 2014 to respond to the charge.”
Anelka faces a ban of at least five games.
Anelka is not the only one facing a ban over the gesture; its creator, Dieudonne, was prevented from performing just two hours before he was scheduled to go on stage in Nantes, France on Thursday, much to the dismay of the nearly-sold-out crowd.
Dieudonne was initially banned by the city, but a local court overturned the ban, allowing him to perform. French Interior Minister Manuel Valls, who is eager to keep Dieudonne off the stage in France, then took the matter to the Council of State, which addressed what it called a risk to public safety by stopping the show. Commitments to change the language of the show were brushed aside by the Council.
Dieudonne has been charged repeatedly with inciting hatred through his shows. He maintains that he is not anti-Semitic, but he has made comments about sending Jews to the gas chambers. Of Jewish journalist Patrick Cohen, he said, “When the wind turns, I don’t think he’ll have time to pack a suitcase. When I hear Patrick Cohen talking, you see, I think of gas ovens.”
Even if his original intention was, as Dieudonne and Anelka both claim, anti-establishment, there is no question the message conveyed to fans is anti-Semitic. People have been photographed performing the quenelle at Holocaust memorials, in front of synagogues, and at the French school where four Jews, including three children, were murdered in 2012. In Israel, it was seen at the Western Wall.
