MX23RW : Sunday, January 26 17:31:18| >> :60:3141:3141:

Romelu Lukaku: 'Nicolas Anelka should not be banned for quenelle gesture'

Romelu Lukaku says that Nicolas Anelka shouldn't be banned for his 'quenelle' gesture.

Everton striker Romelu Lukaku has leapt to the defence of Nicolas Anelka over his anti-Semitic 'quenelle' gesture.

West Bromwich Albion striker Anelka was charged by the Football Association today and now faces a minimum five-game ban, something that Lukaku doesn't agree with.

Lukaku looked perplexed when told that Anelka could be banned for five matches and said of the Frenchman on a video on Everton's official website: "He was my idol since I was a kid and he still is.

"He should never be banned for [the gesture], he was just supporting a stand-up comedian (Dieudonne) in France.

"We shouldn't make such a big deal about it. He's an adult and, for me, I hope he doesn't get suspended because he's a player that people like to see on the pitch."

The Belgian striker was speaking after coming up against Anelka and West Brom last night in the Premier League. The game finished 1-1.

ID:131849: cacheID:131849:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2076:
Written by
Pascal Lemesre
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
West Brom's Matej Vydra and Everton's Sylvain Distin in action during their Premier League match on January 20, 2014
Read Next:
Half-Time Report: Mirallas gives Everton lead
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
8pm
Washington
@
Eagles
11.30pm
Bills
@
Chiefs
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool22165154213353
2Arsenal23138244212347
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2313553327644
4Manchester CityMan City23125647301741
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle23125641271441
6Chelsea23117545301540
7Bournemouth23117541261540
8Aston Villa2210663334-136
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2381053531434
10Fulham228953430433
11Brentford2394104240231
12Crystal Palace236982630-427
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd2275102732-526
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham2275102743-1626
15Tottenham HotspurSpurs2373134637924
16Everton225891928-923
17Leicester CityLeicester2345142549-2417
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2344153252-2016
19Ipswich TownIpswich2337132147-2616
20Southampton2313191653-376


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!