West Brom blow as sponsors Zoopla quit

West Brom are to lose sponsor Zoopla due to the controversy surrounding Nicolas Anelka’s ‘quenelle’ goal celebration.

The property website firm will not renew its backing of the club when its current deal expires at the end of the season.

Anelka’s ‘quenelle’ gesture after scoring at West Ham on December 28, sparked furore, particularly in his native France, where it has been declared as anti-Semitic and racist.

The action of placing fingers on the opposite shoulder has also been described as a lesser-known Nazi salute. The FA has been investigating the matter and are likely to reach a conclusion, probably as early as today.

Zoopla, which is co-owned by Jewish businessman Alex Chesterton, issued a statement yesterday: “Zoopla has been reviewing its position over the past few weeks in light of the actions of striker, Nicolas Anelka, during the match against West Ham and has decided to focus its attention on other marketing activities after this season.”

The news brings a sour end to a sponsorship deal that had been the biggest in Albion’s history, worth £3m over two years. Zoopla was unhappy about Anelka’s presence in the team while the matter was being investigated and there were also suggestions the company had asked for Anelka to play in an unbranded shirt if he was to be selected for last night’s game against Everton.