Property website Zoopla has announced it will not seek to renew its sponsorship of West Brom at the end of the season in light of Nicolas Anelka’s controversial "quenelle" gesture.
Zoopla, which is co-owned by a Jewish businessman, was unhappy at the continuing presence of Anelka in the team while his actions were investigated by the Football Association.
The "quenelle" pose has been linked to anti-Semitism in Anelka’s native France.
Anelka used the "quenelle" sign – one hand down, the other placed on the opposite shoulder – to celebrate a goal in a Premier League match. Anelka claims the salute is anti-establishment and not anti-Semitic, despite the claim by detractors that it is an “inverted Nazi salute”.
The France striker is no stranger to controversy, going back over 15 years. Here is a look at his chequered past.
Arsenal – August 1998: Anelka labelled Gunners team-mate Marc Overmars “too selfish” in a fit of pique. “I’m not getting enough of the ball. I’m going to see the manager soon because Overmars is too selfish,” he told a French newspaper.
May 1999: Marseille claim Anelka was continually phoning them about a move and the striker did little to douse speculation when he added: “The one thing I can tell you is that I can’t stand the English press, who cause me enormous problems on a personal level.” Such comments and perceived under-performance led Gunners fans to label him ’Le Sulk’.
July 1999: Despite his agent and brother Claude stating Anelka would stay at Arsenal, the striker confirmed his intention to leave, stating: “It’s impossible for me to stay in England. With Arsenal, I’ve finished for ever.” He signed for Real Madrid in the summer.
Real Madrid – 2000: After a promising start in the Spanish capital Anelka fell out with boss Vicente Del Bosque and was handed a 45-day suspension after he refused to train.
Liverpool – June 2002: Anelka claimed that Liverpool’s decision not to sign him permanently had been made because of a clash of personalities with then boss Gerard Houllier, saying: “It seems that Gerard Houllier did not appreciate my personality. It bothers him to have someone around who could stand up to him.”
France – November 2002: France coach Jacques Santini accused Anelka of lacking respect for his international team-mates after he snubbed a international call-up, his first since April 2002, for a friendly with Yugoslavia. Anelka responded by stating he would never play for France again.
France – August 2003: Anelka said France coach Jacques Santini would have to “kneel down and apologise” for him if he was to consider making an international return. Santini responded by asking for an apology from Anelka following his Les Bleus snub the previous year.
France – March 2004: Anelka delivered a public apology to France coach Santini, a year and four months after refusing to face Yugoslavia.
Manchester City – January 2005: After claiming he wanted to leave Manchester City for a “big club”, Anelka joined Fenerbahce. Just six months later he revealed he wants to return to England with Newcastle top of his wish list.
France – June 2010: Anelka is told to leave France’s World Cup squad after a half-time bust-up with coach Raymond Domenech during their 2-0 defeat to Mexico.
Chelsea – February 2012: After being transfer-listed by then Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas, Anelka revealed he had been banned from using the first-team car park, forced to use separate changing rooms and made to train with the youth team. “Ever since I was punished they put me with the youngsters. I’ve got all the kit and equipment that professionals have but they put me in a separate changing room – that’s football for you.”
Shanghai Shenhua – June 2012: Anelka argued with a Shanghai Shenhua fan following an away defeat when the Frenchman refused to make a customary bow to supporters after the final whistle.
West Brom – December 2013: After scoring twice for West Brom in the 3-3 draw against West Ham, Anelka made a ’quenelle’ gesture, which was brought to prominence by the French comedian Dieudonne M’Bala M’Bala, who has been prosecuted for anti-Semitism. The salute has been described by opponents as an inverted Nazi salute.
West Brom – January 2014: West Brom sponsor Zoopla announces it will end its partnership with the club due to the controversy surrounding Anelka’s ’quenelle’ goal celebration.
Here are other examples of unhappy sponsors who have pulled the plug on deals because they thought their brand was being damaged:
- LANCE ARMSTRONG:
Cyclist Lance Armstrong lost a whole raft of sponsors after he was exposed as a drugs cheat. Nike terminated its 16-year association with the shamed cyclist and a number of others followed suit. Brewer Anheuser-Busch opted against renewing its contract with Armstrong.
Wisconsin based Trek-Bicycle Corp severed its contract with him. Armstrong’s helmet sponsor Giro pulled its deal with the American, as did Oakley, who produced his sunglasses. Honey Stinger, a honey-based nutrition goods company, removed Armstrong’s image from all of its product packaging and a chain of gyms also removed Armstrong’s name from its logo.
- ASAFA POWELL:
Chinese sportswear company Li-Ning suspended its sponsorship of Asafa Powell after the Jamaican sprinter returned a positive doping test. Powell tested positive for oxilofrine – a stimulant used to boost the body’s ability to burn fat – in June 2012. The former 100 metre world record holder blamed trainer Chris Xuereb for supplying the drug, although he denied he was culpable. Li-Ning has vowed to cancel their contract with Powell if he is banned at a hearing in February. Powell denies wrongdoing.
- TIGER WOODS:
Tiger Woods lost more than his marriage to Elin Nordegren after revelations about his infidelity emerged towards the end of 2009. Accenture, a global consulting firm, was the first sponsor to sever ties with Woods. Telecommunications giant AT&T also ended their association with Woods. Tag Heuer, Proctor and Gamble and Gatorade also decided against renewing their deals with the star, although the latter said the move had nothing to do with Woods’ affairs.
- STEPHANIE RICE:
Stephanie Rice was on top of the world when she won three gold medals at Beijing 2008, but two years later she made a teary apology in front of the media following a homophobic tweet. Jaguar terminated its sponsorship deal with the Australian swimmer and demanded she return the £55,000 Jaguar XF which was given to her free as part of the contract.
- OSCAR PISTORIUS:
Pistorius’ profile reached its peak around the London Paralympics, but his sponsors started to distance themselves from the double-amputee after he was charged with murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day 2013. Nike and Oakley suspended their contracts with the ’Blade Runner’. Fashion house Thierry Mugler, which chose Pistorius as the face of its A*Men fragrance, withdrew all its campaigns featuring the athlete, as did another backer, M-Net Movies. Pistorius will stand trial for the shooting of Steenkamp in March. Pistorius denies the charge.
SOURCE-IRISH NEWS
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