Anelka should not be banned for ‘quenelle’ gesture - Lukaku

Anelka could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines if he is found guilty of the charge, which relates to a goal celebration against West Ham in December, due to new rules introduced this season. Everton striker Romelu Lukaku hopes Nicolas Anelka is not banned for his ‘quenelle’ gesture after the West Brom forward was charged by the Football Association. 

However, Lukaku has defended the West Brom striker and says he does not want to see him banned from playing.

“He was my idol since I was a kid and he still is,” he Everton's official website.

“He shouldn’t have been banned for that. He just likes to support a stand-up comedian in France so we don’t have to make such a big deal about it. He’s an adult.

“For me, I hope he doesn’t get suspended because he’s a player people want to see on the pitch.”

The Frenchman has until January 23 to respond to the charge, which the FA alleges relates to an "abusive and/or indecent and/or insulting and/or improper" gesture, which "included a reference to ethnic origin and/or race and/or religion or belief".