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Nicolas Anelka has sought to clarify his use of the "quenelle" by
posting a video featuring a prominent Jewish leader saying the gesture
is not anti-Semitic when used on a football pitch.
Anelka, 34, faces a minimum five-match ban if the Football Association find him guilty of making an abusive sign against West Ham on 28 December.
The West Brom striker posted the video on Twitter and said nothing to Add"
The "quenelle" has been described as an inverted Nazi salute.
Anelka has until 18:00 GMT on Thursday to respond to the 34-page FA document detailing the allegations, and is "considering his option" according to West Brom.
The man in the video is Roger Cukierman, head of Jewish organisation CRIF (Representative Council of French Jewish Institutions) and vice-president of the World Jewish Congress.
Speaking to French daily newspaper Le Figaro, he argues the "quenelle" is only anti-Semitic when it is performed at a Jewish site.
Anelka said he is "neither racist nor anti-Semitic" after using it when celebrating scoring in the 3-3 Premier League draw with West Ham.
The former France international claimed he used the "quenelle" as "a special dedication" to support Dieudonne M'bala M'bala a day after the French government announced it was trying to ban the comedian's shows over his use of the gesture. Anelka has since promised not to repeat it.
The ex-Arsenal, Manchester City and Bolton striker has been accused of a "shocking and disgusting" act by France's Sport Minster Valerie Fourneyron.
West Brom sponsor Zoopla have also announced they will end their agreement with the club at the end of the season because of the incident.
Anelka, 34, faces a minimum five-match ban if the Football Association find him guilty of making an abusive sign against West Ham on 28 December.
The West Brom striker posted the video on Twitter and said nothing to Add"
The "quenelle" has been described as an inverted Nazi salute.
Anelka has until 18:00 GMT on Thursday to respond to the 34-page FA document detailing the allegations, and is "considering his option" according to West Brom.
The man in the video is Roger Cukierman, head of Jewish organisation CRIF (Representative Council of French Jewish Institutions) and vice-president of the World Jewish Congress.
Speaking to French daily newspaper Le Figaro, he argues the "quenelle" is only anti-Semitic when it is performed at a Jewish site.
"This [potential punishment] seems a bit harsh to me," Cukierman said.
"That gesture can only have an anti-Semitic connotation
when performed at a synagogue or a memorial to Holocaust victims. In a
place that has no significance for Jews it is merely an
anti-establishment gesture which I feel does not warrant any harsh
sanction."
Anelka said he is "neither racist nor anti-Semitic" after using it when celebrating scoring in the 3-3 Premier League draw with West Ham.
The former France international claimed he used the "quenelle" as "a special dedication" to support Dieudonne M'bala M'bala a day after the French government announced it was trying to ban the comedian's shows over his use of the gesture. Anelka has since promised not to repeat it.
The ex-Arsenal, Manchester City and Bolton striker has been accused of a "shocking and disgusting" act by France's Sport Minster Valerie Fourneyron.
West Brom sponsor Zoopla have also announced they will end their agreement with the club at the end of the season because of the incident.
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