Anelka set to respond to FA charge

Nicolas Anelka must formally respond to the Football Association by 6pm on Thursday over its charge for his ’quenelle’ goal celebration – but prospects of him citing a prominent member of the French Jewish community in his defence have suffered a setback.

West Brom striker Anelka is facing a minimum five-match ban unless he can prove his case, after being charged by the FA with performing an alleged anti-Semitic gesture after scoring against West Ham on December 28.