Nicolas Anelka

[dom9]

I'm kinda hoping that he is found not guilty.

It would signal from the FA that they're prepared to listen to arguments in someone's defence, particularly in matters where they have little or no expertise.

I very much doubt that'll happen though.

[Bender]

Guardian sport @guardian_sport 6m
Romelu Lukaku was supporting Anelka, not the quenelle, says Martínez http://gu.com/p/3m5e4/tw

[Shaggy]

Paul Kelso @pkelso
Breaking: Nicolas Anelka banned for 5 matches, fined £80,000 and will have to take an education program

[dom9]

Blimey.

[Norbs]

If that doesn't make him sulk then I don't know what would

[Gray]

He'll probably quit football

[RichC]

What happens if he quits football? Is there any pressure on him to pay the fine?

[Buzzo]

I can't see this going down well with Anelka.

In consequence of the finding on Charge 2, the player will be subject to an education programme, the details of which will be provided to him by the FA."

[RichC]

Incredible arrogance by the FA as usual with all of this.

Perhaps the decision makers that booked Reginald D Hunter should join him at the course

[Shaggy]

Rob Harris @RobHarris
West Brom suspends Anelka

Rob Harris @RobHarris
West Brom on Anelka: "Cannot ignore the offence that his actions have caused, particularly to the Jewish community"

[Kenneth]

In that they can't afford to pay him for that time without him playing.

[Sarb]

In that they can't afford to pay him for that time without him playing.

[baitman]

maybe anelka/some players have a clause in the contract that says something like;
if their actions cause them to be unavailable to play then they are in breach, and will be suspended. maybe not paid too?

[Exiled_red]

I am just wondering what the reasons/justifications for a 5 match ban are in the rules? When this was dragging on I had assumed that he would have got a similar ban to the 4 matches John Terry got for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand. - I know the incidents are different but I would have imagined them falling into the same/similar categories

[Alex]

The FA acknowledged that he didn't mean to cause offence. But pressure from Jewish groups to ban him was there I think. Doesn't matter if it was intentional or not I guess, its still offensive.

FWIW I think the FA were right. The comparisons with Terry and Suarez dont stack up either, because new Tariffs were introduced last summer to help with consistency. I think if Suarez had been done now, it would be a 5 game ban rather than the 8 before. Same with Terry, who would have gotten 5 instead of 4.