West Bromwich Albion striker Nicolas Anelka denies his celebratory salute was anti-semitic Highlights of West Ham United's 3-3 draw with West Bromwich Albion at Upton Park. West Bromwich Albion's French striker Nicolas Anelka and his controversial celebration. WEST Bromwich Albion striker Nicolas Anelka has denied performing an anti-Semitic goal celebration in Saturday's 3-3 draw at West Ham United, according to caretaker coach Keith Downing. Anelka, 34, made his first appearance since October in the Premier League game at Upton Park and scored twice in a five-minute spell shortly before half-time. After scoring his first goal, he put his left hand across his body to make the 'quenelle' salute popularised by the anti-establishment French comedian Dieudonne, who is one of Anelka's friends. "This gesture was just a special dedication to my comedian friend Dieudonne," Anelka wrote in English and in French on his Twitter feed. The gesture has been linked to anti-Semitism in France, with French interior minister Manuel Valls calling for Dieudonne's performances to be banned. French sports minister Valerie Fourneyron condemned Anelka's behaviour on Twitter, calling it "shocking, sickening provocation." She added: "No place for anti-Semitism and inciting hatred on the football pitch." British media reported that the Football Association was investigating the incident, while the European Jewish Congress demanded English Premier League officials ban Anelka. "This salute is merely a lesser known Nazi salute and we expect the same kind of punishment to be handed down by the authorities as if Anelka had made the infamous outstretched arm salute," said European Jewish Congress president Moshe Kantor in a statement. Online, a storm brewed, with some Twitter users calling Anelka, a former member of France's national team, "loathsome" and "racist." But Downing said that the former France striker was merely showing his support for the comic. "I'm aware of it, but it has got nothing to do what is being said," Downing told a press conference when asked about the gesture. The controversial salute made by Nicolas Anelka. It is dedicated to a French comedian he knows very, very well. He uses it in his act and I think speculation can be stopped now. It is absolute rubbish really. He is totally unaware of what the problems were or the speculation that has been thrown around. He is totally surprised by it. Anelka has had a chequered career, having notably been sent home from the 2010 World Cup in South Africa after clashing with France coach Raymond Domenech at half-time of a group game against Mexico. His previous clubs include Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester City and Juventus, and his brace at West Ham made him the ninth player to score for six different Premier League teams.