LONDON: West Bromwich Albion have given French striker Nicolas Anelka notice they are terminating his contract for gross misconduct, the Premier League club said in a statement yesterday.
Anelka, who was given a five-match ban by the FA following his controversial ‘quenelle’ salute during a match on December 28, had earlier said on Twitter he was quitting the Midlands team.
“The club considers the conduct of Nicolas Anelka on December 28, coupled with his purported termination on social media this evening, to be gross misconduct,” West Brom said.
“As a result the club has tonight written to Nicolas Anelka giving him 14 days’ notice of termination as required under his contract,” they added on their website (www.wba.co.uk).
Anelka, who turned 35 on Friday, made the ‘quenelle’ salute, which is associated with anti-Semitic sentiments, when he scored the first of his two goals in a 3-3 draw in a league game at West Ham United’s Upton Park ground.
Earlier on Friday, the former France striker tweeted that he was quitting the club but West Brom said they had not received any official notification of his intention to end his contract.
“Following my talks with the club I’ve been told I could be back in the squad under certain conditions that I can’t agree,” Anelka said on his Twitter account (@anelkaofficiel).
“As I want to preserve my integrity I’ve decided to free myself and to put an end to my contract with WBA with immediate effect.”
West Brom responded with a statement saying: “... Nicolas Anelka is unwilling to agree to the conditions set by it (the club) which may have enabled his suspension to be lifted and for him to resume training.
“These conditions were, firstly, that the club required (him) to apologise to it, its supporters, sponsors and the wider community for the impact and consequences of his gesture made on December 28, and secondly, that he accept a substantial fine.
“Nicolas Anelka’s purported termination of his Premier League contract this evening via social media was invalid as this was not conducted under the correct legal process as required by his contract.” West Brom, fourth from bottom of the table and one place above the relegation zone on goal difference, had earlier criticised Anelka for a lack of professionalism.REUTERS
