Nicolas Anelka has said on Twitter that he has quit Premier League side West Brom with "immediate effect".
The French striker, 35, was banned for five games and fined £80,000 for making a 'quenelle' gesture after scoring against West Ham on 28 December.
He said: "In order to preserve my integrity, I've terminated my contract with West Brom with immediate effect."
However, West Brom said they have received nothing formally regarding the termination of his contract.
The statement added that Albion had hoped to conclude its own investigations into the incident next week.
It also said: "The club regards the release of such a statement on social media as highly unprofessional and will make a further statement when appropriate."
Anelka had earlier said on Twitter: "Following discussions between the club and myself, certain conditions have been set for me to rejoin the group, which I can't accept."
The striker, whose 12-month contract runs out at the end of the season, would only be eligible to play in Albion's final five Premier League games.
Anelka was given the punishment by the Football Association's independent regulatory commission for making the gesture, which has anti-Semitic links.
He denied his use of the sign, described as an "inverted Nazi salute", was anti-Semitic and the commission accepted there was no intent by Anelka to be anti-Semitic.
The FA had initially wanted a tougher punishment for the player but opted not to appeal against the decision.
Anelka, who also did not appeal against the ruling, is due to begin his five-game suspension in Saturday's Premier League game at Swansea.
He claims he made the gesture in support of his friend Dieudonne M'bala M'bala, a French comedian who has been convicted seven times of anti-Semitic crimes.
Download Cowbell Mathematics Past Questions and Answers
Download unlimited e-books in various disciplines for FREE
Get Breaking News on BBM - add our PIN - 232FC0E9
Follow on Twitter to receive updates every hour
Don't miss the next news item - LIKE our Facebook page
No comments:
Post a Comment