West Bromwich Albion have told Nicolas Anelka he will have to find his own lawyer if he wants to fight the FA charge for his ‘quenelle’ gesture.
The French striker is facing at least a five-match ban after being charged on Tuesday morning with a gesture that is widely considered anti-Semitic.
The FA confirmed on Tuesday morning that Anelka was facing a lengthy ban for something the governing body alleges was ‘abusive and/or indecent and/or insulting and/or improper’. Further to that, the FA alleges it was ‘an aggravated breach in that it included a reference to ethnic origin and/or race and/or religion or belief’.
If Anelka chooses to contest the charge he could be banned for as many as eight and 10 matches – which in turn, Sportsmail understands, could force West Brom to consider his future at the club. His current contract already runs out at the end of the season but it is possible the club could look to terminate it earlier.
Anelka was told on Tuesday his employers would not be providing with legal representation.
In the Luis Suarez and John Terry racism cases, both players were provided with highly-paid QCs by their respective clubs.
But in a meeting with West Brom technical director Richard Garlick at the club’s training ground on Tuesday, Anelka was told he would be receiving no such support.
While the 34-year-old was told he would be supported in his effort to get a fair hearing, he was informed the club would stop short of footing the legal bill for top legal representation.
Anelka was said to be considering his options in the knowledge that an aggressive defence could well lead to a longer ban.
It emerged on Tuesday that West Brom did press ahead with playing him against Everton on Monday night even after receiving the FA charge ahead of the game and losing the backing of shirt sponsors Zoopla.
Anelka is also reportedly 'considering his options' after the charge, which he has until 6pm on Thursday to respond to.
He is the first player held to account under new guidelines to combat racial discrimination brought in after the Suarez-Patrice Evra affair.
Anelka faces a minimum five-match ban under the new anti-racism laws, but is likely to receive a much larger suspension given the context and impact of his actions against West ham on December 28.
The former Arsenal, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Chelsea and Bolton striker is likely to be given a ban similar to Suarez’s eight games after the Liverpool striker was found guilty of using racially abusive language towards Manchester United’s French defender Evra in 2011.
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